10501. VIETNAM IN ASEAN: PROS AND CONS. Considers historical and contemporary political and economic factors affecting the decision whether Vietnam should be admitted to the Association of South East Asian Nations. Concludes that while the current political climate favors such admission and even though Vietnam's current economic reforms show great promise, ASEAN should defer offering Vietnam membership until after its completes phase-in of the planned free trade agreement among existing members. 5p. 27f. 13b.