Vietnam and the United States restored their human rights
dialogue in Hanoi on Monday after more than three years of
suspension, a US official said at a press briefing.
The two sides had productive discussion on religious freedom in
Vietnam, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor, Barry Lowenkron, said after working with senior
Vietnamese officials on the issue.
They also discussed other political rights of citizens,
including those on freedom in establishing non-governmental
organizations and using Internet, he said.
The resume of the human rights dialogue will contribute to
fostering the bilateral ties, he said, adding that the two
countries' relations have developed in various spheres, including
anti-terrorism cooperation.
The resume was based on the commitment on promoting the
bilateral ties to a new height made by Vietnamese Prime Minister
Phan Van Khai during his visit to the United States last year,
Barry Lowenkron said, adding that it also aimed to create some
breakthroughs before the arrival of US President George Bush to
Vietnam in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Summit.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)
