Buddhist sect decries lack of religious freedom in communist Vietnam

(AP)— WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem agreed Thursday to explore ways to expand trade and economic cooperation between the former war enemies.

Clinton also told reporters that she and Khiem talked about the importance of human rights and freedom of expression.

The United States has been eager to strengthen trade ties with fast-growing Vietnam, even as it presses for the release of political and religious prisoners and an improvement in human rights.

Vietnam tolerates no challenges to communist one-party rule but is eager to keep the focus on its vibrant trade ties with the United States.

Clinton extended U.S. sympathy for Vietnamese victims of a recent typhoon and said the United States stands ready to help with recovery.

Khiem invited President Barack Obama to visit Vietnam when it becomes the 2010 host of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Clinton said she planned to visit but was unsure of Obama's schedule. She said Obama wants to strengthen ties with Vietnam.

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zoolander wrote:

Vietnamese teacher sentenced for using democracy banner
Full story: The Taipei Times
A Vietnamese court sentenced a secondary school physics teacher yesterday to three years in prison followed by three years of probation for hanging a banner on a bridge calling for multi-party democracy.

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