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US congressional leaders urge Vietnam to match economic progress with political reforms |
A high-ranking congressional delegation led by House Majority
Leader Steny Hoyer praised Vietnam's economic reforms on Thursday
and urged the communist nation to match them with human rights
reforms.
"We think that freedom of individuals and free markets go together
and complement one another," said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat and
the second-ranking leader in the House of Representatives. Hoyer
led a 13-member delegation that also included House Minority Whip
Roy Blunt of Missouri, the No. 2-ranking Republican in the House.
They met with President Nguyen Minh Triet, Deputy Prime Minister
Hoang Trung Hai and leaders of Vietnam's National Assembly. The
delegation arrived as Vietnam begins a two-year term on the U.N.
Security Council. "Vietnam is increasingly important, and our
relationship is important," Hoyer said. The two sides discussed
trade issues, the protection of intellectual property rights and
relations with China, Vietnam's powerful northern neighbor, Hoyer
said. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization last year and has
one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Trade between the
former foes has surged since a trade agreement in 2001, reaching
$12 billion last year. While relations between the two countries
have grown closer in recent years, U.S. officials have continued to
express concerns about human rights in Vietnam, which does not
tolerate opposition to the ruling Communist party. "The economic
dynamism of Vietnam will only be expanded by encouraging more
individual rights among the population," Blunt said. The delegation
planned to leave Vietnam on Friday, when it will travel to
Australia.
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