Bush urges Triet to open Vietnam

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush Friday urged Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to move to a more open society during a meeting in Washington.

The sounds of protesters outside the White House could be dimly heard from the Oval Office as Bush and Triet described their discussions for reporters.

Bush said he was impressed by the growing economy on his own visit to Vietnam and that he was grateful for Vietnamese help in determining the fate of U.S. military personnel still missing in Vietnam, more than 30 years after the United States withdrew its military forces from the Southeast Asian nation.

"I also made it very clear that in order for relations to grow deeper that it's important for our friends to have a strong commitment to human rights and freedom and democracy," Bush said. "I explained my strong belief that societies are enriched when people are allowed to express themselves freely or worship freely."

Triet described their discussions as "productive and constructive." But he said that there are "matters where we remain different" -- religion and human rights.