Vietnam hails Iraqi progress

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Relations between the international community and Iraq will help sustain a positive future for the war-torn nation, Vietnam's envoy to the United Nations said.

Le Luong Minh, the permanent Vietnamese representative to the U.N. Security Council, reiterated his country's firm support for the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq as they moved to establish themselves in the international community.

Minh praised a series of Iraqi developments, notably the improved capabilities of Iraqi national security forces, declining rates in combat casualties and the participation of various sects and parties in the Iraqi government, Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam, reported Thursday.

Speaking before the Security Council in New York, the diplomat added Iraq should work toward overcoming political stalemates regarding the status of Kirkuk, the national hydrocarbon law and improve measures aimed at alleviating corruption.

He hailed international efforts at bringing Iraq closer to the global community, adding, "This emerging partnership and cooperation will be sustained and translated into further concrete action to serve mutual interests of all relevant stakeholders, on the basis of respect for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq."