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An Upbeat Rumsfeld and Vietnam Agree to Broaden Ties (MICHAEL R. GORDON, 6/06/06, NY Times)

One step in the still-evolving relationship will be taken later this month when two Vietnamese officers are scheduled to begin English- language training at a United States military language school in San Antonio, Texas. The instruction program — previously agreed — is being funded by the Pentagon's program for International Military Education and Training

A likely next step is the expansion of that effort to include medical training for Vietnamese officers, a Pentagon official suggested. American officials also said today there was discussion of expanded cooperation in clearing mines left behind from the Vietnam War.

One American official said that Vietnamese officials expressed interested in acquiring American demining equipment and military spare parts. That could be controversial in the United States Congress, where Vietnam's record on human rights has come under close scrutiny.

During his discussions today with Mr . Tra, Mr. Rumsfeld suggested that Vietnam might play a role in international peacekeeping. Mr. Tra noted that the Vietnamese military could not take part in any operation not specifically approved by the United Nations, according to an American official who did not want to be named because of the private nature of the talks.