This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 HANOI 001993 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV AND EB/TPP/BTA/ANA JBELLER 
STATE PASS USTR FOR CKLEIN AND EBRYAN 
TREASURY FOR IA/Asia Office 
USDA FOR FAS/ITP/SHIEKH 
USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO 
GENEVA PASS USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD VM WTRO WTO
SUBJECT: EIGHTH WORKING PARTY ON VIETNAM'S WTO ACCESSION 
JUNE 2004 
 
PLEASE DO NOT POST ON THE INTERNET. 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY AND COMMENT:  The Eighth Working Party on the 
Accession of Vietnam to the World Trade Organization met 
June 15 in Geneva to continue its review of Vietnam's trade 
regime and plans to bring it into compliance with WTO 
standards.   Vietnam's presentation reported progress 
especially in the intent to eliminate non-tariff barriers 
and export subsidies, to implement WTO provisions upon 
accession and to reduce the number of planned tariff rate 
quotas in its WTO tariff schedule.  There is a sense that 
Vietnam now is committed to changing its trade regime and 
moving ahead. Vietnam's goal is to finish the negotiations 
before the end of 2005.  While not impossible, considerable 
progress is necessary.  Key concerns remain, e.g., 
implementing a WTO-based customs system, setting up an SPS 
system, meeting TBT obligations, and the commitment to 
remove QRs upon accession was nuanced.  The need to improve 
IPR protection remains, as well as enforcement, though the 
GVN announced its intention to join the Berne Convention. 
At the meeting, Vietnam claimed it tabled the full range of 
BTA commitments to be multilateralized via the accession. 
Questions remain as to whether Vietnam can actually 
implement such broad reforms in the near term, and if the 
pace of work in the National Assembly can even meet 
Vietnam's deadline. 
 
¶2.    The Vice Minister of Trade led the GVN delegation of 
30 plus members.  AUSTR Dorothy Dwoskin gave the opening 
statement for the USG and highlighted GVN progress, the USG 
commitment to play a constructive role in WP and bilaterals, 
but with a note that progress in the WP needs to be 
accompanied by progress on the market access negotiations on 
goods and services.  Key WTO members agree that Vietnam is 
on track, but will need to reduce tariffs and improve its 
market access offer.  In sum, there was a sense that the GVN 
is on track, though it is now clear that they will not 
arrive by next summer.  WP Members agreed to provide any 
addition written questions to Vietnam by the end of July. 
Vietnam agreed to provide responses by the end of September. 
This will allow the Secretariat to produce a draft working 
party report by the end of October.  If this schedule holds, 
the next meeting of the WP has been penciled in for mid- 
December.  In the meantime, Members have tentatively agreed 
to an agricultural plurilateral on October 29 when capital- 
based representatives will be in Geneva for an Agriculture 
Committee meeting.  END SUMMARY AND COMMENT. 
 
¶3.  The Eighth Working Party on the Accession of Vietnam to 
the World Trade Organization met June 15 in Geneva to 
continue its review of information provided by Vietnam on 
status of its trade regime and to review progress on market 
access negotiations on goods and services.  Mr. Ho of 
(previously Korea's Ambassador to the WTO) chaired the 
meeting.  MOT Vice Minister Luong Van Tu led a delegation of 
key experts from GVN ministries.  The focus of the meeting 
was to continue examination of Vietnam's foreign trade 
regime based on a revised factual summary of information 
provided to date and on replies to questions raised by 
members following the December 2003 session, and to review 
progress in WTO implementation and in the market access 
negotiations on goods and services negotiations since then. 
 
¶4.  In his opening remarks, GVN Vice Minister of Trade Luong 
Van Tu said that the GVN was seeking to continue the quantum 
leap it had begun the previous spring after WP 6.  He 
enumerated a number of areas in the current documents in 
which the GVN had made progress since WP 7 in December 2003. 
These were in commitments Vietnam was prepared to make to 
comply with the WTO Agreements on TRIMs, Customs Valuation, 
TBT, Import Licensing Procedures and other agreements upon 
accession, commitments to eliminate all quantitative 
restrictions in the form of quotas and restrictive licensing 
upon accession, to progressively liberalize trading rights 
of foreign invested enterprises and to comply with most SPS 
obligations upon accession, with only a couple of selected 
transitional requirements.  Tu also committed to remove all 
agricultural export subsidies for coffee upon accession and 
phase out the rest within three years. 
 
¶5. On market access, Tu noted that the GVN has improved its 
offer so that, in his view, many of Vietnam's commitments 
would go beyond those made by recently acceding members.  On 
trade in goods, VN offered to bind its entire tariff 
schedule except for petroleum products.  The average bound 
rate would be reduced by 4% to an average of about 18% after 
all concessions are phased in.  All ODCs except on petroleum 
products will be eliminated on a phased schedule and bound 
at zero.  The number of requested TRQs has also been 
substantially reduced.  On services, there has been further 
revision to meet most requests from trading partners.  GVN 
has eliminated previous MFN exemptions in financial 
services.  On the goods side, he claimed that 90% of the 
tariff requests of WTO members had been met (Note:  A claim 
that cannot be verified and is improbable.  End note).  On 
services, he indicated that Vietnam's offer contains some 
areas that are already BTA plus (unspecified).   Tu said 
that the GVN had had bilaterals with 14 members since 
December, some of which are close to conclusion.  As of June 
14, GVN had already met with 10 members since arriving in 
Geneva the previous week.  It thanked the US, EU, China, 
Japan and Latin American countries for their efforts on 
bilaterals.  In addition, VM Tu pointed to the efforts by 
the National Assembly to pass legislation to speed up 
international economic integration.   Tu said that the above 
showed GVN's determination to join WTO as soon as possible. 
He acknowledged the technical assistance of various members 
(Note:  We believe that the National Assembly's pace of 
activity will be a major factor in whether Vietnam will be 
able to meet its own accelerated timetable.  End note). 
 
¶6.  A number of members offered statements in support for 
GVN's efforts.  They included the EU, the Philippines 
(speaking for ASEAN), Chinese Taipei, Morocco, Australia, 
Switzerland, the US, Canada, Korea, Argentina, Norway, 
Brazil, Japan, Columbia, Uruguay, China, New Zealand, Hong 
Kong, and Cuba (which said it had completed its bilateral 
negotiations with VN).  Assistant USTR for WTO and 
Multilateral Affairs Dorothy Dwoskin gave the opening 
statement for the USG and highlighted GVN progress, noted 
Minister Tuyen's emphasis on transparency during his recent 
meetings with USTR Zoellick, confirmed USG commitment to 
play a constructive role in WP and bilaterals, but with a 
note that progress in WP needs to be accompanied by progress 
on the market access negotiations on goods and services. 
(Note:  Other members in the USG delegation were Cecilia 
Klein and Elena Bryan, USTR; Susan Rzemien, Treasury; 
William Tagliani, USTR/Geneva; and Sam Watson Econ/C at US 
Embassy Hanoi.) 
 
¶7.   The EU rep noted that it has important trade relations 
with Vietnam and recognized VN is a developing country with 
problems but much economic potential and the potential to be 
an active WTO member.   For these reasons, the EU wants to 
show flexibility to VN with respect to its development 
status.  The GVN is improving the quality of its submissions 
and moving to a more active phase of its accession.  The EU 
had met twice with the GVN since December, on June 14 in 
Geneva and previously in Brussels.  Vietnam's offers have 
let the EU move to a more active phase.  The EU will soon 
come to Hanoi to continue its bilaterals with a desire to 
conclude bilaterals soon.  (NOTE: This took place the week 
of July 5.  End Note.) 
 
¶8.  The WP proceeded to review Vietnam's trade regime, using 
the revised factual summary WT/ACC/SPEC/VNM/4/Rev.1 as a 
framework for the discussions and referring to additional 
documentation provided by Vietnam in response to questions 
from delegations at the last meeting in December 2003.  The 
factual summary document will evolve into Vietnam's draft 
report of the working party, as issues are raised, 
discussed, and resolved, and commitments are confirmed, and 
will eventually contain both the report of the working party 
and protocol of accession approved by WTO members. 
 
¶19.  Investment:  The GVN will seek to reduce the 
differences between regulations for foreign and domestic 
investors through a unified investment law.  Vietnam has 
already begun to eliminate restrictions on technology 
transfer, limits on capital.  Vietnam has removed the 
requirement for foreign firms to hire workers through agency 
so they can now be hired directly.  The GVN committed to 
implement TRIMS on accession thus eliminating export 
requirements and tax distinctions between foreign and 
domestic firms.  In response to a US question about how it 
will implement these changes, the GVN said it would produce 
an action plan for implementing TRIMS. 
 
¶10. State Ownership and Privatization:  The GVN committed to 
expand the areas of equitization to include transport, oil 
and gas, insurance, telecom (including telecom international 
gateway services), transportation, and "culture" over the 
next two years.  Equitization will take place regardless of 
whether the enterprises are profitable.  It will also not 
discriminate among different types of enterprises and will 
change regulations to eliminate those protecting "public 
interest" enterprises.  The GVN will continue to eliminate 
subsidies and support for state owned enterprises (SOEs). 
Regulations are being drafted and will be provided to 
members when complete. 
 
¶11.  Pricing Policy:  Dual pricing on electricity will end 
and a uniform price will be set by December 31, 2005.  This 
will mark the end of Vietnam's dual pricing policy vis--vis 
foreign firms 
 
¶12.  Competition Policy:  The national assembly is 
discussing the competition law and the GVN expects it to be 
promulgated by the end of the year as scheduled.   In the 
coming months, the National Assembly will put a draft on the 
Internet to solicit public input. 
 
¶13.  Framework for making and enforcing policies: U.S. noted 
Vietnam's commitments in response to questions in 
WT/ACC/VNM/32 concerning application of national treatment, 
MFN, and transparency, right of appeal, and the authority of 
central and sub central entities in trade policy issues, and 
sought their inclusion in the working party report record. 
 
¶14.  Trading Rights:  Vietnam offered to phase in trading 
rights for foreign invested enterprises.  Upon accession, 
Vietnam offered to grant trading rights to foreign invested 
enterprises in the production and manufacturing sectors and 
to 49% foreign owned joint ventures.  No later than January 
1, 2008, joint ventures where foreign capital does not 
exceed 49% would receive trading rights and 100% foreign 
invested enterprises would be given trading rights no later 
than January 1, 2009.  GVN maintained that as the resale of 
imported goods belongs under distribution, it was not 
required to provide equal opportunity for the domestic sale 
of imported goods and that it will take a reservation for 
some items because its enterprises need to become used to 
the competitive environment.  Vietnam enterprises play an 
important role in importing and selling goods.  The 
transition is only five years.  Vietnam appealed to the 
Working Party members to show understanding of what the 
National Assembly will come up with on the law on laws.  The 
United States explained that there is a difference between 
distribution of goods and the right of imported goods to be 
distributed on equal terms with domestic goods, something 
that Vietnam did not yet provide for.  Granting full rights 
for import and export to foreign firms was not the same as 
granting rights for domestic distribution.  The U.S. and 
Australia pushed for a more rapid phase out, and the U.S. 
asked that the WP report note that foreign and domestic 
firms had the same export rights. 
 
¶15.  Tariff Rate Quotas: Vietnam noted that it had further 
reduced the number of product lines subject to TRQs and did 
not intend to use import licensing to administer these 
quotas, i.e., would use a first come first served regime. 
Now there are just 5-6 product lines that comprise several 
hundred tariff lines.  Both In- and out of- quota rates are 
lower in the new offer, making it more transparent and WTO 
consistent. GVN is willing to negotiate on TRQs including 
the in-quota volume allowed.  GVN does not believe that 
managing TRQs will be expensive and difficult.  It will not 
keep quantitative restrictions as a non-tariff barrier.  All 
these issues can be discussed in the bilaterals.  GVN 
confirmed that it would only keep ordinary duties and 
charges (ODC) on two items (pipes and PVC).  GVN said there 
are still some TRQs in agricultural sector.  The GVN needs 
to get current import and export data for these areas in 
order to accurately apply TRQs from January 2005.  The GVN 
noted that although many items remain subject to import 
licensing requirements, in Vietnam's view, all could be 
justified under WTO exemptions, e.g., Articles XX and XXI of 
the GATT.  Vietnam will continue to apply these restrictions 
after accession but will eliminate all licenses not 
consistent with WTO exemptions at that time.  The GVN rep 
stated that 175 cc motorcycles couldn't be imported because 
many young Vietnamese organize racing on the streets and 
importing such motorbikes could cause problems.   Also, with 
large bikes in the country, the police might not catch 
people they were pursuing.  GVN believes this restriction is 
non-discriminatory and is consistent with national 
treatment.   On the import of used items, there is no way to 
detect whether they are used.   New Zealand, supported by 
Australia, termed the use of TRQs an "obstacle to progress" 
in the negotiations.  The U.S. and other delegations 
cautioned Vietnam that TRQs were difficult to administer and 
their use by other WTO members to tariffy agricultural QR's 
during the Uruguay Round had a specifically historical 
context that did not exist for Vietnam.  They urged Vietnam 
not to use TRQs, but find tariff-only solutions.  Australia 
and other Cairns Group countries took sharp exception to 
Vietnam's stated intent to use TRQs to "tariffy" previously 
existing quantitative restrictions, and also urged that 
another way be found to regulate this trade. 
 
¶16.   Quantitative Restrictions and Import Licensing: The US 
said that the GVN's offer to eliminate quantitative import 
restrictions was an important step and asked whether this 
included the restricted items in VNM/32 tables 5 and 5.1, 
also whether other quantitative restrictions remained to be 
addressed.  Australia associated itself with US comments on 
the need to phase out QRs. The US noted that there were ways 
besides import bans such as that on motorcycles over 175 cc 
to deal with safety concerns such as internal mechanisms. 
The EU also expressed concern about the motorcycle ban.  As 
for the 175 cc motorcycle ban, the GVN argued that this was 
necessary because many young people race motorbikes in the 
streets and the police need to have bikes fast enough to 
catch criminals.  The GVN intends to bring import licenses 
into compliance with WTO rules by accession and to remove 
taxes on wine, beer and tobacco.   Australia also noted that 
GVN needed to be sure that this was adequately reflected in 
its action plan.  The GVN responded that although many items 
were subject to import license requirements, all conformed 
with WTO exemption rules.  GVN will continue to apply these, 
but will remove all that are not consistent with WTO rules. 
 
¶17.   Internal Taxes applied to Imports The EU welcomed GVN 
efforts to reduce taxes applied to imported beer, but asked 
whether there was discrimination with domestic beer.  The 
GVN said that there was no discrimination between domestic 
and imported beer, rather a tax based on consumption rather 
than on the origin of the product.  Australia asked about 
the phase out of these taxes in December 2006 and the need 
to comply with GATT Article III.   Korea said that internal 
taxes especially the excise taxes on cars and cigarettes 
were excessive with no clear rationale.  The GVN argued that 
automobiles were an infant industry, but they would like to 
discuss in the next meeting. 
 
¶18.  Customs Valuation:  Upon accession, the GVN committed 
to apply the Customs Valuation Agreement and eliminate 
"minimum prices," which are currently used to determine 
valuation.  The US, EU and Australia all praised this offer. 
 
¶19.  Non-tariff barriers:  The GVN pledged to eliminate all 
non-tariff barriers in the form of quotas and restrictive 
licenses upon accession.  The GVN also committed to remove 
the import prohibition on cigarettes and cigars upon 
accession.   When asked how this would be accomplished or 
whether legislation was in development to implement these 
reforms, the Vietnam delegation could give no answer. 
 
¶20.  Preshipment Inspection: The US raised the need for the 
GVN to create a preshipment inspection service in compliance 
with WTO rules with fees based on the cost of the service 
provided and not on the value of the traded good.  The USG 
also noted that the GVN should commit in writing to take 
responsibility for ensuring the Preshipment Inspection 
service complied with WTO.  The GVN said its regulations on 
preshipment inspection would comply with the WTO and GVN 
will adjust its portion to reflect USG comments on 
preshipment. 
 
¶21.  Antidumping:  The USG suggested GVN provide legislation 
to members for review soon and commit not to use antidumping 
measures until WTO consistent legislation was in place. 
Columbia asked whether the May 2002 safeguards ordinance 
complied with the WTO.  The GVN said it approved an 
antidumping ordinance in April 2004 and will convey a copy 
of it to members. 
 
¶22.  Rules and Certificate of Origin:  USG urged GVN to 
comply with WTO rules on requirements for rules and 
certificates of origin.  EU asked whether the GVN was 
prepared to issue a national government document on rules of 
origin to be WTO consistent.  Chinese Taipei asked whether 
there were any requirements to approve or issue a 
certificate of origin.  Exporters and importers currently 
must apply for eligibility for certificates of origin. 
Rules of origin create the maximum conditions favorable for 
importers and exporters.  Certificates of origin cannot be 
bought from many agencies. 
 
¶23.  Export Regulations:  The USG asked the GVN to review 
and rationalize its export restrictions to comply with WTO 
provisions.   Australia called for a clear statement in 
report of GVN commitment to eliminate export ratio 
requirement for foreign firms on accession, and elimination 
of direct payments contingent on export performance on 
accession.  Switzerland called for the elimination of export 
requirements on accession.  GVN confirmed that only five 
goods are subject to export tax: crude oil, animal breeds, 
wood materials, scrap metal, and perfumed wood.  USG asked 
why GVN applied duties of 35 to 45% on export of ferrous and 
non-ferrous scrap and whether this level of duty permitted 
export, but the GVN did not respond. 
 
¶24.  Export Subsidy:  Australia called for elimination of 
export subsidies on accession, The GVN committed to 
eliminate agricultural export subsidies for coffee upon 
accession and for other products (i.e. rice, pork, 
vegetables, and fruit) within three years of accession. 
Regarding a USG question on export subsidy, the GVN said 
that they were committed to removing trade-distorting 
measures on accession.  Nevertheless many countries use 
export subsidies and that is why the Uruguay Round created 
Annex 7 for countries with a low level of development.  The 
GVN will eliminate subsidies related to the ratio contingent 
upon export performance within five years of the date of 
accession.  They want to show flexibility until the GNP per 
capita reaches $1000.    (Note:  Vietnam is not an Annex 7 
country, a register of low income countries developed at the 
time the WTO was established.  Nor is it an LDC.  As a 
consequence it must eliminate industrial subsidies 
conditioned on import substitution or export performance. 
End note) 
 
¶26.  Rice exports:  The GVN said that rice exports harm its 
consumers, but GVN is taking into consideration making 
1033changes on restrictions.  WTO members can maintain 
export restriction measures as long as this is consistent 
with GATT Article 11. (Note:  It is unlikely that Vietnam's 
restrictions are Article XI compliant.  End note) 
 
¶27.  SPS and TBT: Australia noted that the GVN sought a 
transition on the establishment of an SPS system until 2008 
and that the GVN action plan needed more detail on 
implementation plans.  Australia asked the status of SPS 
implementation, GVN needs for technical assistance and urged 
the GVN to speed up implementation of SPS.  Australia also 
asked whether ASEAN would abide by international SPS 
standards.  Canada, New Zealand shared these concerns and 
sought an explanation for the reason a transition period was 
needed.  Noting the complexity of this issue the EU, 
suggested an SPS plurilateral, expressed concern with 
control procedures and urged the GVN to meet international 
standards rather than signing multiple bilateral agreements. 
The USG associated itself with the Australian comments and 
asked for more details on technical assistance requirements 
as well as details of GVN's SPS requirements for import of 
meat and poultry, live plants, horticultural products and 
grain as well as technical requirements for food product 
certification, labeling and packaging. 
 
¶28.    The GVN responded on SPS and TBT as follows.  In 
Working Parties 6 and 7, the GVN requested a two to three 
year transition after accession based on Article 14 for SPS 
and TBT.  The US and EU have given Technical assistance on 
SPS and help in establishing an SPS enquiry point.  However, 
GVN needs time to adjust its laws and regulations to 
implement the requirements of the agreement.  Vietnam 
commits to establish a National Enquiry and Notification 
point by the end of 2004 and to have it fully operational 
upon accession.  Vietnam commits to implement the SPS 
Agreement upon accession, except for a transitional period 
up to 2008 for obligations with regard to harmonization, 
equivalence and Control, Approval and Inspection Procedures. 
In case the GVN can't comply fully they will put 1-2 
obligations for enquiry points at end 2004 and operations in 
¶2005.  The GVN has assigned MARD as the enquiry point and it 
is working with relevant agencies to address their concerns. 
The GVN expressed appreciation for technical assistance from 
the US, EU and Australia provided in this area and indicated 
a desire for such assistance to continue.  The GVN will 
submit in writing areas where assistance is required.   The 
GVN is reviewing domestic standards and will bring them into 
line with international standards.  The GVN intends to 
prepare an action plan on these steps.  (Note:  We would 
like to explore what additional assistance could be provided 
to accelerate Vietnam's implementation of these two 
important WTO Agreements.  End note) 
 
¶29.  TRIMS:   Canada asked whether the GVN could confirm 
that the table of products with an export ratio of 80% was 
exhaustive and whether measures in paragraph 30 were 
included in those referred to in paragraph 208.  Chinese 
Taipei asked whether the export requirements would be 
eliminated on accession.  The GVN acknowledged that measures 
inconsistent with TRIMS remain.  For example, one measure 
compels enterprises to use local materials, but the GVN 
intends to remove such measures on accession.  The GVN also 
wants to maintain investment incentives at the request of 
many foreign investors.  Export requirements are needed to 
make them consistent with the agreement.  Table 11 is 
comprehensive and includes all products with an export ratio 
of 80%. 
 
¶30. Government Procurement:  The USG urged the GVN to 
consider joining the WTO Agreement on Government 
procurement, initially as an observer and to identify areas 
where technical assistance would be helpful.   GVN replied 
that it is not yet prepared to join the plurilateral and 
this is not required of WTO members. 
 
¶31.  Trade in Transit:  The US noted that although the GNV 
had addressed the issue of transit fees, it had not 
addressed the overall issue of transit to trade of other WTO 
members as in Article V.  The EU noted it also shared this 
concern.  The GVN will comply fully with the USG comment on 
accession. 
 
¶32.  Agricultural Policies:  Australia noted that the 
agricultural plurilateral had a good discussion of GVN 
policy in domestic support, but all questions were not yet 
clear and Australia would submit some in writing. The GVN 
had made good progress on binding export subsidies at zero. 
Called for the GVN to make a binding commitment to remove 
subsidies, Australia said a tariff only regime was should be 
the GVN's goal.   (Note:  This is another area where U.S. 
technical assistance, probably in the form of training 
Vietnamese officials on how to construct and maintain their 
agricultural domestic support tables, could be provided to 
assist in the WTO accession process.  End note 
 
¶33.   Trade in Services: Banking system: The EU asked 
whether commercial banks were loaning to rural areas and the 
status of loans to private farms. The GVN said that the Bank 
for Agricultural and Rural Development that specializes in 
loans for rural development and also the Social Policy bank 
to serve the needs of rural areas. (Comment:  See broader 
discussion in report on bilateral meeting.  End note.) 
¶34.  Core labor Standards:  When Malaysia objected to the 
inclusion of core labor standards in the report, the GVN 
replied that their expert was not on the delegation, but 
they would convey the message and it would be better to 
discuss with the ILO. 
 
¶35.  TRIPS:  Several members (Canada, the US and EU) 
expressed concern with the lack of the GVN's progress on 
IPR.  Canada called for the GVN to adjust its copyright 
action plan to comply with TRIPS and the time frame for 
accession.  The US said it submit written questions and 
asked the status of GVN joining the Berne Convention.  The 
EU asked the status of the action plan, about industrial 
property fees and charges, non-disclosure and will submit 
written questions.   The GVN replied that it needed to 
revise regulations on copyright to make them more specific. 
For example, the Ministry of Construction on Architecture 
had specified many new regulations.  The Ministry of Culture 
had issued decree 76 which will improve regulations as part 
of the action plan.  The GVN schedule includes continuous 
amendments on these issues.  The GVN is considering whether 
to issue a separate law on intellectual property.  The 
National Assembly has passed a new Civil Procedure Code. 
The GVN is making its best efforts to prepare for TRIPS 
implementation as well as for meeting other commitments in 
this area.   Recently the President of Vietnam decided that 
GVN should join the Berne Convention.  GVN is now preparing 
for this.  A 1996 action plan on TRIPS implementation had 
been delayed because of its complexity, but the GVN will 
exert best efforts in the future.   In addition, GVN will 
take note of questions and concerns from various members on 
this issue of IPR.  Canada asked when the GVN would be TRIPS 
compliant and GVN affirmed that it would comply with TRIPS 
on accession and be compliant by the end of 2004. 
 
¶36.  Trade Agreements:  Australia called on GVN to accept 
bracketed text containing a standard commitment on notifying 
WTO members of preferential trade agreements and their 
conditions  (paragraph 369).  The GVN did n073 ot reply. 
 
¶37.  MFN: Australia raised the difficulty it and others 
(including the US and New Zealand) had had in obtaining MFN 
treatment in certain areas (in line with the EU) despite the 
GVN's obligation.  The GVN replied that it would fully apply 
MFN before and upon accession to comply with bilateral and 
the WTO agreements and accession commitments (i.e., 
sidestepping the fact that its current practice was a 
violation of the MFN clause in our bilateral agreement. 
 
¶38.  Legislative Developments:  The Chairman noted that the 
GVN needs to speed up the pace of passage of laws and their 
implementation to speed up the accession.   The GVN gave an 
update on laws passed noting that the National Assembly had 
taken action on such as the antidumping law and the civil 
procedure code. 
 
¶39.  Next Steps: After conferring with Vice Minister Tu, the 
Chairman outlined the schedule of next steps.  WTO members 
should submit written questions by the end of July, the GVN 
should respond by mid-September.  Optimally, The Secretariat 
will distribute revised documents by late October/early 
November and there would be another working party meeting in 
early December.  The Chairman asked that bilaterals 
intensify. 
 
¶40. Note: USTR staff in Geneva and Washington cleared this 
cable. 
BURGHARDT