Voice of Viet Nam: ESCAP produces optimistic forecast for Vietnam

Update: Bush announces “Iraq next Vietnam”

Shortly after releasing the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s review of economic growth in Thailand and Southeast Asia, the Whitehouse announced that it expected Iraq to become America’s next Vietnam. “The report pegs Vietnam’s growth in GDP at 7.5% and provides an optimistic forecast for 2004 even as it commends Vietnam for successful debt- reduction” said Whitehouse Spokesman Scott McClellan, “ We are expecting Iraq to achieve similar levels of growth in the next five to eight years.” Stated McClellan: “While we do not expect Iraq to achieve the growth that characterized postwar Germany and Japan, we sincerely expect Iraq to be our next Vietnam and we are doing everything in our power to encourage this.”

In other news, Libya has now provided the world community with additional information regarding its covert operations, accepting blame for the Backstreet Boys, New Coke and the entire Knight Rider television series.

- posted by JB @ 11:05 AM