First session of the newly elected national assembly opens

(19 Jul 2007) 1. Wide of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum 2. Wide of uniformed officers carrying wreath, state leaders following 3. Uniformed officers carrying wreath, state leaders following 4. State leaders and National Assembly (NA) members paying tribute 5. State leaders, from right: Communist party chief Nong Duc Manh; Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; President Nguyen Minh Triet; Chairman of National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong 6. Vietnamese flag 7. NA members walking into Ho Chi Minh mausoleum 8. NA members 9. Wide of NA exterior 10. NA members arriving 11. Wide of NA during session 12. NA members listening 13. State leaders listening, from right: Communist party chief Nong Duc Manh; Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; President Nguyen Minh Triet 14. NA members 15. Wide of Communist Chief Nong Duc Manh walking onto podium, shaking hands with NA chairman Nguyen Phu Trong 16. Mid of international guests 17. Mid of Manh giving speech 18. Mid of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung listening 19. Wide of NA members applauding STORYLINE: The newly-elected Vietnamese National Assembly began its five-year term with an opening session on Thursday. During its first session, the 493 legislators who were chosen in a general election in May will vote for the positions of president and prime minister. However, the possibility that Vietnam's top leaders will be replaced is slim. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, once approved by National Assembly members, will announce his government. Local media quoted a source as saying the new government would have 22 ministries and ministry-level agencies, four less than the existing number. Legislators will also vote to elect deputy prime ministers, ministers, and heads of minis�terial-level agencies. They will also approve the cabinet and mem�bers of the Defence and Secu�rity Councils. Discussions during the session will focus on how to make the machinery of government more compact and effective, according to local media. The National Assembly is also expected to discuss the socio-economic situation and vital issues like bird flu and vaccine management. The session will run from 19 July to 6 August. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...