VIETNAM

GATT Grants Observer Status: The world trade watchdog has granted observer status to Vietnam in a signal of recognition of the advances the once rigidly communist state has made toward an open economy. A spokesman said the Vietnamese application, presented to a meeting of the ruling council of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was widely welcomed by delegations from the organization’s 123 member countries, which includes the United States. Vietnam’s ambassador in Geneva, Nguyen Luong, told the council that his country would eventually like to become a full member, according to the GATT spokesman.