Vietnam Comes Calling

In the first high level visit by an official of Vietnam in 30 years, Vietnam has signalled a further willingness to have excellent trade and diplomatic relations with the United States. And while no Communist government is all that great, with significant problems with human rights, religious freedom, lack of free expression, censorship, lack of free elections, nonetheless, just like in the case of China, Vietnam's willingness to cooperate with trade to the United States gives room for a significant opening to slowly improve all the limitations on freedom and human rights abuses over time.

Some governments like Cuba with a strong antiU.S. sentiment by Castro in the early 60's where nuclear missiles were to be placed on America's doorstep was a serious act that has so far made good relations with this nation difficult to impossible. And North Korea's nuclear threats, lack of cooperation in the world community, international traffic in Nodong missiles, makes this nation the world's worst Communist menace state.

But the more reasonable line of the Communist governments of China and Vietnam, with the high level of trade creates a cooperative environment for peaceful resolution of issues of difference. Other nations like Cuba and North Korea should take such cues and signal a similar willingness to cooperate with the United States and create a climate of trade and other reforms that improve the lives of citiizens of these nations suffering from great poverty. In China and Vietnam, the lives of the average person are greatly benefitting by the high volume of trade, although political rights and human rights still lag far behind. But trade is the key to such future improvements. If the leaders of Cuba and North Korea were not so selfish, seeking only a world class lifestyle for themselves, while their people suffer, then they would make overtures to the United States and seek trade and a more cooperative environment.

All nations of the world should be on good speaking and trade terms. Conflict with nations is not productive. God fully expects mankind to cooperate with one another and to peace resolve conflicts. But the current world situation is far from ideal. Only with the future world government promised in the Bible by Jesus will the world be run with an ideal government. Until that time, all efforts to minimize conflict and peacefully resolve differences should be undertaken.