Malaysian king meets Viet leaders

Malaysian king meets Viet leaders

HANOI (AFP): King Tuanku Jaafar Abdul Rahman of Malaysia spent yesterday meeting Vietnamese leaders after laying a wreath at the mausoleum of the country's independence hero Ho Chi Minh.

The monarch visited Ho's modest wooden house next to the presidential palace and toured Hanoi's army museum that celebrates the country's victories over France and the United States.

During the day he was to meet Communist Party General Secretary Do Muoi and Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet.

In a speech at a banquet hosted by President Le Duc Anh, the Malaysian head of state said his visit "testified to the growing friendship" between our countries."

He said the Malaysian government had put particular emphasis on developing economic links with Vietnam but added that both sides could do more to take advantage of the potential trade that existed between them.