Vietnam slams U.S. for trade

Vietnam slams U.S. for trade

HANOI (AFP): Vietnam on Thursday denounced a recommendation by
a U.S. federal commission that the U.S. Congress link
ratification of a free trade pact to Hanoi making progress in
allowing religious freedom.

"This is a ridiculous and unwarranted action which can only
upset relations between Vietnam and the United States, which were
gradually improving in line with the desires and interests of
both parties," the official Communist Party newspaper Nhan Dan
said.

In its annual report on Monday, the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom, a federal advisory body, made a
series of policy recommendations designed to place a drive for
religious freedom squarely in U.S. foreign and economic policy.

Vietnam, China, India and the Sudan were among the countries
singled out for criticism in the report.