Bush welcomes closer ties with Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush saluted once-divided and wartime enemy Vietnam in a Hanoi toast Friday as a "strong and vibrant nation."

Bush, in Vietnam for a summit meeting of Asian and Pacific leaders, said at a state banquet toast to Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and his wife that the United States looks forward to closer ties with Vietnam.

"We will work with you to help combat avian flu and HIV/AIDS," he said. "We have signed agreements to protect religious freedom. We strongly support Vietnam in the World Trade Organization.

"Vietnam is a remarkable country. For decades you had been torn apart by war. Today the Vietnamese people are at peace and seeing the benefits of reform."