Vietnamese president is on a six-day visit to his country’s erstwhile enemy with a top-level delegation. He is scheduled to meet US political and business leaders to talk about economic matters. He is also expected to talk to US President Bush about human rights and Agent Orange.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Vietnamese President Nguyễn Minh Triết’s visit to the United States has begun. It is the first visit by a Vietnamese head of state since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The ministers of foreign affairs, education, and telecommunications are also expected to travel with Mr Triết who is scheduled to visit New York and Los Angeles and meet US President George W. Bush on Friday in Washington to discuss human rights and economics. Several economic deals will be signed before he flies home on Saturday.

Both sides are interested in enhancing economic ties. US-Vietnamese trade reached US$ 9.7 billion. Many US companies are especially interested in Vietnam’s cheap labour, tax breaks and potential market.

Last year’s the economy of the Asian country grew by 8.2 per cent.

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing hopes to secure an order with Vietnam Airlines. Corporate deals are also expected in the energy, telecommunications, information technology and financial services sectors.

Washington however continues to criticise the Communist nation for its violations of human rights and the arrest and jailing of dissidents.

For its part, Vietnam is still demanding the US pay compensation for and do something about damages caused by Agent Orange, an herbicide and defoliant sprayed over Vietnam’s forests used by Communist soldiers.

Mr Triết is also expected to meet United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

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