He is said to be the second most powerful person in the current UK administration. He was foreign minister under former Prime Minister Tony Blair and is the present Secretary of State for Justice – Mr. Jack Straw.

Straw has signed important policies promoting UK-Vietnam relations and has a special relationship to Vietnam. VietNamNet’s Xuan Linh met Straw at his office in London.

Surprised at Vietnamese’s tolerance

“When I was a student at Leeds University, I participated in and then became Chairman of the National Students’ Union in 1969. At that time, we joined demonstrations against the Vietnam War, which I believed to be unjust. It was a terrible war. And I’m astonished by the Vietnamese’s tolerance for the pain they experienced after the war!” he told VietNamNet.

Last September, Straw mentioned his deep feelings about what happened in Vietnam 40 years ago, when he was a student, at a meeting with students of the Hanoi University of Law.

About Vietnam’s present situation, Straw said Vietnam has become one of the Asian economies that are developing very fast and Vietnam is determined to join the group of countries that it calls “modern industrial countries” in the next 12 years.

“Foreign investment is running into Vietnam and it is clear proof that other countries have strong belief in your country’s future. It is not a surprise that Vietnam was re-invited to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO),” the UK politician said.

“Vietnam has moved into the international arena spectacularly and its increasing role as an economic force has been recognised by the whole world,” he commented.

When someone mentions the name of Vietnam, what is the first thing you think about?

My generation can’t forget the Vietnam War. I want to say that it is a part, or accurately it happened, and it was a chain of terrible events which happened through my youth.

In your opinion, what lessons can Vietnam learn from the past to develop in the future?

That is the tolerance, forgiveness, and the iron will to re-build your country and the determination to develop your political system on your own path.

In UK-Vietnam cooperation, what impresses you the most?

In general, it is the improvement in the relations between the two countries. Trade and cultural relationships are growing very well and cooperation is getting better between the two governments, including policies that I signed.

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