Rice urges countries to join international community

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- North Korea and Myanmar should follow Vietnam's example in joining the international community and opening their economies to the rest of the world, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday.
Rice, in a speech to business executives attending an annual Asia-Pacific economic conference, praised Vietnam for its success in reforming its economy and "overcoming the past" in seeking closer ties with the United States.
Washington would like to work with North Korea and Myanmar, also known as Burma, but can't until their governments choose to abide by international norms, she said.
"If the leaders of North Korea and Burma were to follow the example of Vietnam, if they make the strategic choice and take the necessary steps to join the international community, it will open a new path of peace and opportunity," Rice said.
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