Hanoi - US attempts to improve its cooperation with Vietnam on counterterrorism will not be affected by the recent detentions of four US citizens accused of terrorism, a US diplomat said Tuesday. "We do hope that people are not charged with terrorism just for expressing their opinions peacefully," said Stephen Mull, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs.
"I certainly don't expect that this would get in the way of our broader counterterrorism cooperation with Vietnamese authorities."
Two Vietnamese-born US citizens, Nguyen Quoc Quan and Leon Trung, were arrested by Vietnamese authorities on November 17. Both are members of a US anti-Communist group called the Viet Tan party, which claims they were discussing strategies for peaceful democratic protests.
The Vietnamese government and media accuse them of involvement in terrorism. No formal charges have been made public.
Mull also said US consular officials were allowed to visit Quan and Trung for the first time Tuesday. No further details were available, but one US official said that Quan appeared to be in good health.
Two other Vietnamese-born US citizens, Le Van Phan and Nguyen Thi Thinh, were arrested on November 23 at an airport in Ho Chi Minh City after a handgun and ammunition were reportedly found in their baggage. US consular officials have not yet been permitted to meet with them.
