Gaps remain in Vietnam's WTO entry talks
HANOI - Gaps persist between Vietnam and the United States over Hanoi's accession to the World Trade Organisation, the American ambassador said, dimming the communist country's hopes of joining this year.
"Gaps still remain" in bilateral negotiations, Michael Marine told reporters.
After the last round of talks this summer, "both sides have gone away with much clearer understanding of what needs to be done, with homework... about what can be done, what can be offered to eliminate all the gaps," he said.
"The timing of the next round of negotiations will depend on how well that homework is done."
Marine would not rule out Vietnam's ability to join the organization in December this year. "'No chance' is very harsh," he said.
Nevertheless, one of the prerequisites for WTO entry -- the granting of permanent normal trading relations (PNTR) by the US Congress -- was unlikely, he indicated.
"I don't believe there are any prospects of a PNTR vote before December. And we have made it clear to the Vietnamese," Marine said.
"I could be wrong, the Congress can decide for itself."
He criticised Vietnam for failing fully to implement the US-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement struck five years ago.
"Half-measures or doing on paper and not doing in practice are not in Vietnam's interests," he said.
"Property rights is an example where we're not satisfied" with Vietnam's performance thus far, he said.
Also "trading and distribution rights are areas that we want to see improved. We've already raised this with Vietnam. They have taken some measures and made some promises. Now we need so see how well they'll be carried out."
Apart from the United States a few other countries including Australia and New Zealand have yet to strike a deal on Vietnam's WTO ambitions.
Agence France Presse - September 23, 2005.
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