Bush Welcomes Communists
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
(SNN Washington)Today, President Bush told Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai that he supported Vietnam’s bid into the World Trade Organization, but Bush also urged Vietnam to reform its human rights record.
Protestors burned Ho Chi Mihn in effigy and flew the flag of South Vietnam.
The calm of the meeting stood in stark contrast to the protests outside, where freedom hating protestors burned Ho Chi Mihn in effigy and flew the flag of South Vietnam.
Vietnam has set a goal of joining the WTO at the trade organization's next ministerial meeting in December in Hong Kong. Congress would have to vote to assist Vietnam’s entry into the WTO. But President Bush seems confident in his ability to deliver Congress to Vietnam. "We talked about our desire for Vietnam to join the WTO," Bush told reporters.
The United States is currently Vietnam’s largest trade partner.
The United States is currently Vietnam’s largest trade partner. Since the United States and Vietnam restored diplomatic ties ten years ago, two-way trade has risen to $6.4 billion.
Bush stressed that although American and Vietnamese had very different societies and histories, Vietnam’s culture would be respected. The entry of Vietnam into the WTO would effectively end any type of sovereignty the nation once possessed. Under the deal, Vietnam would be renamed “New Texas”.
Rumors that Senators Kerry and McCain would accompany him were roundly denied. "They already had their fun in Vietnam," Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan angrily stated. "This is our President's time to shine."
- Badtux the News Penguin
