Pompeo pushes Vietnam for ‘speedy resolution’ in detained American’s case

The State Department on Monday said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the case of an imprisoned American with Vietnamese leaders during a recent meeting.

Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo “raised the case of William Nguyen and encouraged a speedy resolution to his case.”

The Vietnam News Agency reported last month that the man, William Nguyen, was prosecuted and imprisoned after participating in protests in Ho Chi Minh City.

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The state news organization said Nguyen was accused of “disturbing social order.”

Nauert said Pompeo also spoke to the Vietnamese leaders about the ongoing talks aimed at reaching a deal with North Korea.

“The Secretary and Vietnamese leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership so as to advance our common bilateral and regional priorities and common efforts to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Nauert said.

Pompeo in May traveled to North Korea and came back to the United States with three Americans who had been imprisoned by that country. 

One month later, Trump traveled to Singapore for a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where the two leaders signed a joint statement that said the United States would give “security guarantees” to Pyongyang and Kim emphasized his commitment to the “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

That statement did not include specifics on how North Korea would dismantle its nuclear program.

Pompeo’s meeting with the Vietnamese leaders comes after a stop in North Korea over the weekend.