POW-MIA Vietnam to open three sites to US remains recovery

Vietnam to open three sites to US remains recovery
By JENNIFER HLAD
Stars and Stripes
Published: June 4, 2012

HANOI, Vietnam – The Vietnamese government will open three previously restricted sites to allow U.S. teams to recover the remains of two airmen, a soldier and a Marine who have been missing since the Vietnam War, the top American and Vietnamese defense officials announced Monday.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh met at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense on Monday morning to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries.

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Thanh said through an interpreter that both men see the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The U.S. and Vietnam in 2010 signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines five key areas for cooperation: high-level dialogues, maritime security, search-and-rescue operations, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
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