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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Vietnam off US religion blacklist | Vietnam off US religion blacklist |
| (2 days later) | |
| The United States has removed Vietnam from a list of countries which it says severely violate religious freedom. | The United States has removed Vietnam from a list of countries which it says severely violate religious freedom. |
| The list is published annually by the state department and includes China, North Korea, Iran and Sudan. | The list is published annually by the state department and includes China, North Korea, Iran and Sudan. |
| Vietnam was removed just days before President George W Bush travels to Hanoi for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum. | Vietnam was removed just days before President George W Bush travels to Hanoi for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum. |
| However, a US bill to normalise trade relations with Vietnam failed to get approval in Congress. | However, a US bill to normalise trade relations with Vietnam failed to get approval in Congress. |
| Another attempt to pass the bill is expected to be made later this week. | Another attempt to pass the bill is expected to be made later this week. |
| Announcing Vietnam's removal from its countries of concern list, the US state department said there had been "significant improvements toward advancing religious freedom" in the country. | Announcing Vietnam's removal from its countries of concern list, the US state department said there had been "significant improvements toward advancing religious freedom" in the country. |
| The decision was welcomed by Vietnamese officials. | The decision was welcomed by Vietnamese officials. |
| "It is a right decision which accurately reflects reality in Vietnam in accordance with the principles in the Vietnam-US relationship and positive progress," foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said in a statement. | "It is a right decision which accurately reflects reality in Vietnam in accordance with the principles in the Vietnam-US relationship and positive progress," foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said in a statement. |
| The decision comes amid a warming in US-Vietnam ties, and as Vietnam prepares to host the Apec forum, which it hopes will be a showcase for its economic reforms. | The decision comes amid a warming in US-Vietnam ties, and as Vietnam prepares to host the Apec forum, which it hopes will be a showcase for its economic reforms. |
| 'Subduing' Protestantism | 'Subduing' Protestantism |
| There is little doubt that religious freedom has increased in Vietnam in the two years it has been on the list, the BBC's Bill Hayton in Hanoi says. | There is little doubt that religious freedom has increased in Vietnam in the two years it has been on the list, the BBC's Bill Hayton in Hanoi says. |
| But critics question whether it has increased enough, our correspondent adds. | But critics question whether it has increased enough, our correspondent adds. |
| If Vietnam wants to participate fully on the world stage, she must respect international law by protecting the full religious freedom of her citizens Mervyn ThomasChristian Solidarity Worldwide | If Vietnam wants to participate fully on the world stage, she must respect international law by protecting the full religious freedom of her citizens Mervyn ThomasChristian Solidarity Worldwide |
| There has been a revival of religious feeling in the country. New Buddhist pagodas are springing up and the Catholic Church has ordained new priests. | There has been a revival of religious feeling in the country. New Buddhist pagodas are springing up and the Catholic Church has ordained new priests. |
| But there are limits. Only religious organisations that pledge loyalty to the state enjoy freedoms and dissidents, both Buddhist and Christian, face harassment. | But there are limits. Only religious organisations that pledge loyalty to the state enjoy freedoms and dissidents, both Buddhist and Christian, face harassment. |
| The rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide said this week it had evidence of a crackdown on Protestantism among ethnic minorities in the north-west highlands. | |
| The UK-based group said it had acquired an internal government training manual outlining a plan to "to resolutely subdue the abnormally rapid and spontaneous development of the Protestant religion" in that region. | The UK-based group said it had acquired an internal government training manual outlining a plan to "to resolutely subdue the abnormally rapid and spontaneous development of the Protestant religion" in that region. |
| "If Vietnam wants to participate fully on the world stage, she must respect international law by protecting the full religious freedom of her citizens," Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas said. | "If Vietnam wants to participate fully on the world stage, she must respect international law by protecting the full religious freedom of her citizens," Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas said. |
| Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan |
| Correspondents say there has been a US effort to normalise diplomatic and trade relations with Vietnam. | Correspondents say there has been a US effort to normalise diplomatic and trade relations with Vietnam. |
| But the House of Representatives' failure to pass the bill establishing permanent trade relations with Vietnam with a two-thirds majority on Monday surprised many. | But the House of Representatives' failure to pass the bill establishing permanent trade relations with Vietnam with a two-thirds majority on Monday surprised many. |
| The bill would allow US farmers, bankers and businesses to share in the benefits of Vietnam's fast-growing economy now it has joined the World Trade Organisation. | The bill would allow US farmers, bankers and businesses to share in the benefits of Vietnam's fast-growing economy now it has joined the World Trade Organisation. |
| However, Republicans are hoping they can get it passed later this week, before President Bush travels to Hanoi. | However, Republicans are hoping they can get it passed later this week, before President Bush travels to Hanoi. |
| While Vietnam has been taken off the US list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) regarding religious freedoms, Uzbekistan has been added. | While Vietnam has been taken off the US list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) regarding religious freedoms, Uzbekistan has been added. |
| The state department said observant Muslims are targeted as extremists. | The state department said observant Muslims are targeted as extremists. |
| The department said Burma, China, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sudan would remain on the list. | The department said Burma, China, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sudan would remain on the list. |