White House seeks to improve trade with Vietnam

In the United States, the Clinton administration has announced that it wants to improve economic ties with Vietnam by scrapping a provision that limits trade with communist countries.

An administration spokesman National Security Adviser, Sandy Berger said the White House would consult with Congress about the matter.

The spokesman praised Vietnam for improving its emigration policies and for its efforts to account for American soldiers missing in action during the Vietnam War.

But in a swift response, the Republican senator, Jesse Helms, said he would oppose the move.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service