Vietnam party discusses 2002 polls

Vietnam party discusses 2002 polls

VIETNAM: Ruling Communist Party met on Monday in Hanoi to discuss National Assembly elections next year and constitutional changes, the state-run Voice of Vietnam (VOV) radio reported.

The radio said the meeting of the 150-member Central Committee would also discuss Vietnam's socio-economic development plan until 2005 and next year's budget and would consider ways to strengthen the party and fight corruption and wasteful spending.

The radio did not say whether the plenum would cover pending ratification of an historic trade pact with the United States to be taken up by the National Assembly in a session from Nov. 20.

It did not say how long the session would last, but such meetings normally last a week to 10 days.

The 450-member National Assembly is Vietnam's legislative body. --Reuters