<B>FM Spokeswoman on the US President's ratification of BTA </B>

The spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry Phan Thuy Thanh said in a statement issued in Ha Noi on Oct. 18 said that Viet Nam welcomes the ratification of the Viet Nam-U.S. bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by President George Bush of the United States on Oct. 17.

"Viet Nam welcomes the ratification of the Viet Nam-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by President George Bush of the United States on Oct. 17. It is an important landmark in the full normalisation process between Viet Nam and the U.S., meeting the aspirations and the interests of both peoples.

The National Assembly of Viet Nam is considering approving the Viet Nam-U.S. trade pact at its coming session in conformity with Vietnamese law."