Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: McCain accusations rejected in Vietnam

Thursday, February 14, 2008

McCain accusations rejected in Vietnam

McCain accusations rejected in Vietnam• Hanoi reiterates President Fidel Castro’s response that there was no torture of U.S. prisoners of war by Cuban interrogators during the war in Vietnam
• HANOI, Vietnam, February 12 (DPA).— Former Vietnamese prisoner of war camp authorities rejected the allegation made by John McCain, senator and U.S. presidential candidate, of the torture of U.S. prisoners by Cuban interrogators during the war in Vietnam.
While campaigning for the White House, McCain – a former prisoner of war – stated this past month that, during the conflict, his compatriots had been tortured by "a pair of Cubans" in Hanoi. Fidel Castro rejected this claim calling it a "strange legend."
Vietnamese officials and former POW camp administrators supported President Castro’s position. "I do not believe there was any Cuban involvement in any camp for U.S. prisoners of war," said Trong Duyet, former director of the Hoa Lo prison, known by U.S. soldiers as the Hanoi Hilton.
"No Cuban ever came to the prison while the U.S. pilots were here," Nguyen Thi Don, former administrator of the prison museum, likewise assured.
Translated by Granma International •

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.