“Along with economic development must come political development as well as increased respect for human rights” McCain told a news conference.
The U.S. State Department often criticizes Vietnam for lack of human rights, a charge the communist country denies.
Addressing students of the Diplomatic Academy in Hanoi, McCain praised Vietnam’s economic reforms initiated in the mid-1980s that have helped millions of people out of poverty.
“In reforming its economy and achieving some of the world’s highest sustained growth rates, the Vietnamese economy has become a model for developing countries across the globe,” McCain told the students.
Vietnam’s economy has grown an average 7 percent per year over the past decade, one of the highest growth rates in the world.
McCain said Vietnam now has a chance to extend its progress to political and social areas.
“This change — which includes expanding social freedoms, allowing greater freedom of expression, releasing all individuals imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views, improving human rights, and widening the scope for political activity — would be of historic magnitude,” he told the students.
From the AP McCain urges respect of human rights in Vietnam
