Vietnam edges toward role in U.S. anti-terrorism front

By Grant McCool

HANOI (Reuters) - The United States is nudging former enemy Vietnam toward joining a global anti-terrorism front aimed at searching planes and ships to prevent trafficking in weapons of mass destruction and other illegal cargo.

Security analysts and Vietnamese and U.S. officials say Hanoi is warming to the idea, but the communist-run country has concerns about the implications under international law and national jurisdiction.

Hanoi participated in an Asia-Pacific forum of the loosely-knit association called the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in New Zealand on March 29, U.S. and Vietnamese officials said.

"My sense is that Hanoi is seriously thinking about it to demonstrate international credibility, willingness to cooperate with Washington and 'independence' from China," said Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank.

Vietnam's fellow-communist northern neighbor is not taking part in the PSI, which is not a formal group. Participants include scores of countries, including several European nations and Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

"If Hanoi elects not to become more involved, it may reflect concern about antagonizing China or just a desire to not be drawn too deeply into the U.S. camp," says Cossa.

Former war enemies Washington and Hanoi have gradually established a friendship, mostly founded on trade and business ties, since Washington ended an economic embargo in 1994 and the two sides restored diplomatic relations in 1995.

U.S. President George W. Bush established the PSI in May 2003 as part of his administration's response to the September 11, 2001 hijacked plane attacks on New York and Washington.