Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a
reception in Hanoi on June 27 for W. M. Winfield, US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defence for Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Affairs
(POW/MIA).

At the meeting, Vinh stressed the
need to further the search for the remains of US servicemen who died
during the war in Vietnam, adding that over the past years, Vietnam has
always considered it one of the top priorities in the cooperation with
the US.

He affirmed that cooperation in this
issue is part of the humanitarian policy and goodwill of the Vietnamese
Government and people, helping ease the pain of US families, whose
members went missing during the war.

He also
suggested the US side continue to work together with Vietnam to solve
the consequences of the war, such as the disposal of bombs and mines and
the detoxification of AO/dioxin in Vietnam.

Winfield appreciated the valuable and efficient support of the
Vietnamese Government, people and war veterans in the search and
repatriation of the remains of US servicemen.

He also hoped that the Vietnamese Government and people will continue
creating favourable conditions for the US and the joint task force to
look for the remains.

On the day, Deputy
Minister Vinh also received a delegation from the Indonesian National
Armed Forces, who are here for the first meeting of the
Vietnam-Indonesia Group

Vinh said both sides
should continue to implement the bilateral MOU on defence cooperation
while boosting experience sharing and joint exercises in search and
rescue operation.-VNA