UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on Vietnam to share knowledge gained in a successful campaign against bird flu, but warned the country to not let its guard down in the continuing fight against the disease.
He also called Wednesday for renewed efforts to end the Iran nuclear standoff while extending his East Asia tour to Southeast Asia and the rapidly developing communist nation. Since late last week he had been visiting Korea, Japan and China.
Saying Hanoi had "taken the lead in the fight against avian influenza, with impressive results," Annan raised the caution flag in a meeting with reporters in Hanoi as the U.N. World Health Organization voiced fears members of a family in another Southeast Asian nation -- Indonesia -- may have died from bird flu transmitted between humans.
"Vietnam's success in controlling the most recent outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the virus has again demonstrated the government's remarkable ability to take quick action and effective action in emergency situations," he said. "But, there's no room for complacency.
"We have shown progress and success, but this is a kind of a stain, a disease that can linger and pop up again at any moment, so the public education must continue, efforts to contain it must continue," the secretary-general continued. "But, they had made remarkable progress and I hope the government is ready to share its expertise and organization strategy to combat the avian influenza with other countries and other regions working to contain the influenza."
Annan also called for intensified efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, indicating the United States should talk directly with Iran and pledge not to seek the government's overthrow.
He did so as senior officials from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, met in London with their counterpart from Germany over the issue.
"It is important that Iran assures the world that its intentions are peaceful, and works with the International Atomic Energy Agency to lift the cloud of uncertainty surrounding its nuclear project -- whether it is seeking nuclear weapons or is only peaceful," he told reporters in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital.
"I think the best solution is a negotiated one and we should really intensify our diplomatic efforts to try and achieve that result," he added, touching on a reported diplomatic package European negotiators are preparing.
Annan was asked if he agreed with IAEA Director General Mohammed ElBaradei's reported view that the United States should engage or talk with Iran directly and also promise not to try and overthrow the government in Iran.
"On the question of who sits at the table and the United States, you know my own position, which I've been stating privately and publicly to the Americans, and it does coincide with what you said ElBaradei said today," he replied.
Asked about reports Iran had asked him and others to mediate direct talks with the United States, Annan replied: "As secretary-general of the United Nations, my good offices are always available in situations where I can help. One or two other countries on issues like this always approach me and see if there is any initiative I can take, if there's anything I can do to help resolve the issue satisfactorily.
"Once again, let me repeat, as secretary-general, my good offices are always available on its nuclear program," he added.
Earlier this year, the IAEA referred the issue of Iran's nuclear program to the Security Council, which can impose sanctions, after ElBaradei repeatedly reported that although the agency had not seen any diversion of material to nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, it was still not able to conclude that there were no undeclared nuclear materials or activities.
Iran says its activities are solely for energy purposes, but the United States and other countries insist it is clandestinely seeking to produce nuclear weapons.
Last August, Iran rescinded its voluntary suspension of nuclear fuel conversion, which can produce the enriched uranium necessary either for nuclear power generation or for nuclear weapons.
