THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT

But now, as President Obama is on a state visit to our erstwhile existential enemy, the Government of Viet Nam can't wait to get their hands on US weapons without having to ambush someone. And President Obama has obliged his hosts by lifting the long time arms embargo, opening the way for regular sales.None of this is in any way connected to how nervous both the US and Viet Nam about China.

Vietnam has long sought an end to the moratorium. But the request took on a more urgent tone in recent years after its neighbor, China, repeatedly threatened or attacked ships in the disputed waters of the South China Sea and started picking territorial fights with Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan.

Obama said at a news conference with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang that the decision was not about China, but rather one “based on our desire to complete what has been a lengthy process towards moving toward normalization with Vietnam.”

“This change will ensure that Vietnam has access to the equipment it needs to defend itself and removes a lingering vestige of the Cold War,” he said. “It also underscores the commitment of the United States to a fully normalized relationship with Vietnam, including strong defense ties with Vietnam and this region for the long term.”

The U.S. has not sold lethal weapons to Vietnam since communists took control of the entire country at the end of the Vietnam War, which left nearly 60,000 Americans dead. President Ronald Reagan officially prohibited arms sales in 1984.

“Vietnam very much appreciates the U.S. decision to completely lift the ban on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam, which is clear proof that both countries have completely normalized the relations,” Quang said.

The move angered some human rights groups who said it eliminates the leverage the U.S. has used to push Vietnam to change its still-poor human rights practices.

“The United States government has been telling the Vietnam government for years that they need to show progress on their human rights record if they are going to be rewarded with closer military and economic ties,” said John Sifton, Asia policy director of Human Rights Watch. “Yet today President Obama has rewarded Vietnam even though they have done little to earn it: the government has not repealed any repressive laws, nor released any significant number of political prisoners, nor made any substantial pledges.”

Sifton called on the US government to use the regulatory framework and licensing regime for future sales and transfers to create incentives for Vietnam to improve its human rights record.

Obama can lift the arms embargo to Vietnam without congressional approval. But lawmakers will need to sign off on individual sales.

Vietnam has not given the United States a specific wish list of weapons. Experts say Hanoi could be looking for warships, missiles and radar, surveillance and communications equipment. Examples include Lockheed’s P-3 Orion and C-130 Hercules, or Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon. The military aircraft could help track Chinese ships and submarines.

The country’s main source of weapons now is Russia, which has provided Vietnam with Kilo-class submarines and Sukhoi fighter jets, and would likely remain a cheaper and more efficient supplier.

All the usual malarkey about human rights, ignoring the fact that nobody buys arms to protect or respect human rights. And how surprising is it that we could sell non-lethal weapons? I didn't think there was any market for the F-35.