McCain shrugged off the government statement and criticized the oppression he said followed the communists' victory in Vietnam. He also criticized what he said was increasing corruption in the country and an unwillingness on the part of some officials to improve U.S.-Vietnamese ties. There's a difference in the attitude here of the government toward foreign investment, toward a trade agreement. I'm a bit concerned about both the policies and attitudes, and the increase in corruption in this country. Truth is truth.
History is history.
I always tell the truth. I've fought against communism all my life. He added that he was not concerned about Vietnam's response. Thanh, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said McCain contradicted statements he made during his first visit to the Hanoi Hilton in 1994 when McCain expressed thanks to Vietnam for the treatment he received as a captive. However, McCain claimed his statements were no different than those he has made on seven previous trips to Vietnam.