A member of Vietnam's Parliament predicted Saturday the United States and Vietnam will establish diplomatic relations next year. He also said his country's occupation of Cambodia has lasted too long.
Nguyen Xuan Oanh made the comments to reporters after arriving in the Philippines following a monthlong lecture tour in the United States.Oanh also reported renewed efforts to resolve the fate of American servicemen missing in Southeast Asia.
"I think that once the new government will be installed in Washington, perhaps by mid-year or the end of next year, we will resume recognition of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam," said Oanh, a former South Vietnamese deputy prime minister.
During his U.S. visit, Oanh said he met with Reagan Administration officials as well as members of Congress and "received very encouraging and positive signs" from them. He did not name the people he met.
Oanh also met with American businessmen during the visit, which he said was part of a campaign to lure Western investment in Vietnam. The nation is one of the poorest in the world and wants American aid and investment that is now banned by a U.S. trade embargo.
Oanh said Vietnam is making progress in efforts to end its 10-year occupation of Cambodia.
The country has promised to withdraw its 100,000 to 120,000 troops from Cambodia by the end of 1990, a condition Washington has imposed before it will recognize the Hanoi government.
Oanh said his government was setting up offices throughout Vietnam for people to report any knowledge of missing American soldiers.