HANOI. Dec 11: Vietnam has overcome Its language barrier to Joining ASEAN and now has enough English speaking civil servants to cope with preparations for admi ssion next July. Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam said in an interview published today, reports AFP.

A shortage of diplomats who speak English — the official language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations —was one of the obstacles Hanoi has had to overcome to Join the group.

Singapore and Canada are among the countries helping out with fanguage and . technical lessons for Vietnamese officials while a hrst batch of foreign-educated diplomats is now ready for more senior positions.

We are today able to join but still we will have to prepare more staff after being recognised." Cam told the Vietnam Investment review

Cam himself speaks some English but is more comfortable in French or Russian while the Vice Foreign Minister in charge of Southeast Asia. Vu Khoan. is a fluent English speaker.

Foreign Ministry officials have privately admitted that preparations for Joining ASEAN have been more difficult than expected as few senior civil servants are up to speed on some of the complex trade and legal Issues involved