PM visit to U.S. planned

U.S.-Vietnam talks are underway for Prime Minister Pham Van Khai to visit the U.S.in May or June this year, a Vietnamese diplomatic source told Agence France Presse. His visit would be the first such official tour of the U.S. since the war ended 30 years ago, and would reciprocate the Nov. 2000 visit to Vietnam of Pres. Bill Clinton. Vietnam academic specialist Carl Thayer suggested the visit could see a quid pro quo between U.S. business negotiations in return for Vietnam's willingness to respond to U.S.concerns on human rights and religious freedom. (Agence France Presse, March 22).