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U.S. eases arms embargo against Vietnam for maritime security


    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday partially lifted a long-time ban on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam to help the country improve its maritime security, a historic move that comes nearly 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War.

    "The State Department has taken steps to allow for the future transfer of maritime Security (SECURITY.8)related defence articles to Vietnam," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a briefing.

    State Department officials told a separate briefing that sales of any specific weapons would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

    They said the decision follows some progress by Vietnam on human rights issues, including the release of 11 political prisoners, although they cautioned that a further easing of the ban would require additional steps.

    (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler)