Vietnam Ambassador Controversy Eases Up

Senate Republicans appear to have dropped their quiet opposition to President Clinton’s attempt to send an ambassador to Vietnam, clearing the way for a big advance in U.S. relations with a former enemy.

“I’m optimistic about what can be done in Vietnam, but not naive to think that any of it will be easy,” said the nominee, retiring Florida Rep. Pete Peterson.

In an interview, Peterson said he intends to concentrate on boosting business with Vietnam and resolving questions about missing American servicemen in Southeast Asia.

Last year, partisan politics and a little-known constitutional provision stalled the confirmation of Peterson, who spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.

But with Clinton in office for another term, the United States is likely to realize full diplomatic relations with Vietnam by the spring.