Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, May 3 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh today, May 3, described the recommendations made by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to the U.S. Government as a rude intervention in another country's internal affairs, which is contrary to the United Nations Charter and totally unacceptable.

The spokeswoman made the remark while responding to Ha Noi-based Reuters correspondent's question about the Commission's recommendations to the U.S. Government, asking the latter to re-consider its policy towards Viet Nam for religious reasons.

She said: "The Vietnamese Government knows what to do to ensure and help meet its people's need for religious practice and belief.

The so-called U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is doing a useless job with its recomendations which, we think, not only the Vietnamese Government but also other governments, including the U.S. Government, will reject as inconsonant.

The Viet Nam-U.S.Trade Agreement (BTA) is the outcome of efforts made by both sides to meet the two countries' interests. The BTA could not and should not be affected by any moves of those who are deliberately sabotaging the Viet Nam-U.S. ties. We think that the U.S. Government shares this view with us."