Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HA NOI — National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An said on Thursday he hoped a Viet Nam visit by a delegation of the US House of Representatives Special Committee on Intelligence (HRSCI) would lead to a better understanding of Viet Nam in the US.

Talking with the delegation led by HRSCI Chairman and congressman Porter Goss in Ha Noi, An said he believed the American visitors would gain a more objective and accurate understanding and viewpoint of Viet Nam.

An said he hoped they could then persuade the American House of Representatives and Senate to take an appropriate and practical approach toward Viet Nam, particularly on issues relating to human rights and religion.

In its international integration process, Viet Nam has paid attention to developing ties with the US, he said, and wishes to build a durable, mutually beneficial friendship on the basis of respect for national independence and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs.

He said co-operation between the two countries has resulted in progress in the economy, trade, science, technology, education, humanitarian issues, anti-terrorism and more recently anti-transnational crimes.

He said more than a year after it was ratified, the Viet Nam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement has improved trade between the countries.

Yet Viet Nam has been confronted with unfair protective trade barriers, he added.

He said that in order to overcome outstanding disagreements and improve mutual understanding, both countries should regard the strengthening of dialogues between government and parliamentary agencies of the two countries as the most effective way.

An thanked the American congressmen for their many years of support in waiving the application of Jackson-Vanik Admendments to Viet Nam.

He particularly recalled a petition lodged by Goss and 22 other congressmen demanding the US not impose quotas on the imports of Viet Nam’s garments and textile products to America.

Goss told NA Chairman An that he thanked the Vietnamese leader for receiving him and his party. He conveyed greetings from the House of Representatives Speaker and the Opposition Leader in the US congress.

Goss informed An of his useful talks with the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and the Public Security Ministry.

He said he wished there would be more regular contacts between the House of Representatives and the NA so that mutual understanding and expansion of ties between the two bodies could be made possible.

An asked Goss to convey his thanks to the House Speaker and the Opposition leader in the US Congress and invited them to pay a visit to Viet Nam. — VNS