Speech #1050177195

Vietnam achieved high economic growth of 8 percent a year with low inflation. As a result. the U.S. lifted economic sanctions in 1994 and normalized relations in 1995. That was the wrong thing to do. because it has all been downhill since then. The economic growth did not produce democratic and market reforms. as we have seen in other countries like China. South Africa. Zimbabwe. In addition to quashing the religious. political. and social freedom of its citizens. and restricting their right to emigrate. Hanoi has taken giant steps backward from fostering sound policies and stability to bolster its economy and to attract foreign investors. As the gentleman from California