In order to stem the loss of skilled officers and NCOs, Russia will double the their pay by 2003. A lieutenants pay will go from $68 a month to $150. Even though some benefits will decline to help pay for the raise, it will cost $129 million a year. Russia has decided to vacate the Cam Ranh Bay naval base in Vietnam by the end of the year. The initial plan was to leave by this May. The 25 year lease does not expire until 2004. Vietnam is trying to interest the United States, which built the port facilities of Cam Ranh Bay during the Vietnam war, to replace the Russians and use the naval base for its Pacific fleet.