Vietnam plans to join UN peace missions

The decision is a transformation in its attitude towards the world body. The country has also set its sights on a two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Vietnam said it was prepared to join some UN peacekeeping operations for the first time, in a move seen as a major shift in its attitude towards the world body.

The country has also set its sights on a two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung. "To better contribute to the UN's activities, Vietnam has decided to run for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term," he said.

Foreign observers said the issue had been discussed for more than a year in Hanoi and signalled a significant change in attitude. The idea was raised as early as 1993 in Vietnam by then UN secretary-general Boutrous-Ghali. But for more than a decade Hanoi refused to consider it. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations played a role in Hanoi's change of heart, said Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

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