VIETNAM

Hanoi Discusses Privatization: Communist Vietnam has begun talks with the World Bank on a program that includes privatizing state-owned enterprises, Finance Minister Ho Te said. The United States has blocked lending from the bank and the International Monetary Fund as part of its economic embargo against Vietnam. Political analysts say President Bush may announce a change in policy before his term ends on Jan. 20 in response to Hanoi’s increased cooperation in resolving the fate of U.S. servicemen missing in the Vietnam War. Hanoi began a pilot program in October for what it calls “corporatizing” state industries that still command the vast majority of the country’s assets.