Vietnam concerned about violence Thailand; Defence minister visits China; AIPA discusses combating drug-related crime; EU assists Vietnam’s legal reforms; PM Dung to attend Shanghai World Expo; Lenin’s 140th birthday celebrated

Vietnam and Laos will take advantage of each other’s potential and strengthen bilateral relations on the principle of equality for mutual benefit.

This commitment was reached during talks between Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Lao State President Chummaly Saynhaxon in Vientiane on April 13.

Mr Manh confirmed that Vietnam attaches a great deal of importance to tightening its relationship with Laos to promote the revolutionary cause of each country, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two leaders exchanged information about the situation in both countries and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They talked about ways of boosting the traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Both parties agreed to enhance bilateral ties in accordance with the spirit of independence and self-reliance.

They emphasised the need to promote the exchange of visits by senior Party officials and to share their experiences in implementing the renewal process and Party building work. They pledged to create even better conditions to expand cooperation and exchanges between the ministries, agencies and committees of both countries.

They stressed on the importance to boost economic cooperation, diversify trade relations and encourage investment in both countries. They agreed to step up measures to strengthen cooperation in national security and defence, fight against hostile forces and also trans-national crime.

The Vietnamese Party leader and the Lao State President vowed to closely coordinate at regional and international forums and conferences, thus helping to ensure peace and stability in the Mekong sub-region, Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam and Laos will continue to work together in searching for the remains of fallen combatants and completing the planting of border markers, they said.

The two leaders also reached a consensus on promoting mutual understanding amongst the younger generations of both countries, and worked out specific measures to increase the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in education, training and developing human resources.

They approved a plan to organise a Lao culture week in Vietnam in 2010 to promote cultural and sporting exchanges between the two countries.

On the occasion, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh donated over VND50 billion to help Laos build a school in Luangprabang province.

Mr Manh also invited President Chummaly Xaynhaxon to visit Vietnam at a convenient time, and the Lao President accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Vietnam concerned about violence Thailand

Vietnam has condemned bomb blasts in Bangkok on April 22, causing heavy casualties, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga.

“We call upon parties concerned to restrain themselves from using violence, and settle disputes peacefully through dialogues and negotiations, to soon stabilise the situation in the interest of the Thai people,” Ms Nga said on April 23 in response to reporters’ question.

A series of bomb explosions in Bangkok’s main financial district of Silom killed at least one person and injured 75 others, including three foreigners.

Defence minister visits China

A high-level delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army, headed by Minister Phung Quang Thanh, was received at the headquarters of the Chinese Defence Ministry on April 22.

At the meeting, General Thanh highlighted the significance of the China visit and stated that the Vietnamese Party, State, Armed Forces and people always attach a lot of importance to relations with their Chinese counterparts.

He said cooperation in national defence is an important part of bilateral strategic ties and is aimed at preserving peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie stressed the need for more joint working and exchanges between the armed forces of both countries in the face of new occurrences in the region and around the world.

On the occasion, Minister Thanh handed over a donation of $30,000 from the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to aid the quake victims in China’s Qinghai province.

Later the same day, Mr Thanh and his entourage met with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

AIPA discusses combating drug-related crime

Delegates to the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Fact-Finding Committee (AIFOCOM) opened their 7th meeting in HCM City on April 23.

During the two-day event, regional lawmakers will share experiences in combating drug-related crime and draw up recommendations to present to the 31st AIPA General Assembly to be held in Hanoi this September. The proposals will suggest ways for member states to coordinate their drug-crime legislation.

Addressing the ceremony, Tong Thi Phong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Assembly, expressed her hope that through the meeting, AIPA members will continue to finalise their laws and policies and make suggestions to increase the operational efficiency of AIFOCOM toward the goal of a drug-free ASEAN.

Vietnam is aware of the dangers drug abuse creates for every member of a society, so priority must be given to prevention and control, said Ms Phong.

She noted that the fight has seen some results thanks to the Vietnamese government’s efforts and assistance from international organisations. However, she said, drug-related crime can be a serious drag on the country’s socio-economic development.

This requires Vietnam to continue with synchronous solutions, with a focus on carrying out detoxification programmes, generating jobs and helping reformed addicts re-integrate into the community, said Ms Phong.

Statistics indicate that the amount of heroin transported into Vietnam in 2009 increased by 27 percent over the previous year, while Methamphetamine saw an 11-fold increase. There was an increase in activity by international drug trafficking rings, especially those from Africa.

Jason Eligh, Acting Chief of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) in Vietnam, said drug-related crime is complicated in East Asia and Southeast Asia where economies are growing rapidly and there are large local drug production bases.

He pointed out the fact that even though the amount of heroin produced in Southeast Asia fell by 25 percent between 2007-09, the poppy growing acreage and the number of addicts in the region increased considerably. The use of stimulants and addictive substances such as Methamphetamine (ATS) and Ecstasy also rose significantly, with half the Methamphetamine seized between 2004-08 traced back to East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The UNDOC expert suggested that ASEAN countries intensify cooperation by sharing information and experiences in combating drug crimes, especially those involving trans-national trafficking rings.

Hau Giang urged to achieve rapid growth

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang to uphold the banner of the Chuong Thien victory 37 years ago and tap its potential for rapid and sustainable development.

PM Dung made the call at a ceremony on April 23 to celebrate the victory, which was considered a turning point in the general offensive to liberate Military Zone No9.

Due to losses on the battlefield and the diplomatic front, the US and US-backed Saigon puppet regime agreed to sign the Paris Peace Accord on January 27, 1973, which recognised Vietnam as a sovereign nation and called for a withdrawal of US troops from Vietnamese territory.

Shortly after that the US violated the agreement by aiding the Saigon puppet administration to occupy the liberated land and destroy Vietnam’s revolutionary bases. Hundreds of battalions of the enemy supported by air raids and bombardments launched attacks on southern fronts, including the Chuong Thien area of Hau Giang.

The Military Zone No9 Party Committee decided to launch counter-attacks to wrest back and control the land, culminating in the victory at Chuong Thien in 1973.

“The ceremony is a chance for us to review historic events and the heroic tradition of our nation’s fight against foreign invaders, and to honour heroes, war martyrs and fellow countrymen who sacrificed their lives for southern liberation and national unification,” said Mr Dung.

He said the victory paved the way for Vietnamese soldiers to launch a general offensive on various fronts to protect local people, control occupied land, decimate the enemy’s forces and expand the liberated area.

He noted that since Vietnam initiated the Renewal process in 1986, Mekong Delta provinces have made extraordinary efforts in national defence and security, economics, social affairs and culture, and have significantly improved their standard of living.

The PM specially acknowledged that since being split from Can Tho province six years ago, impoverished Hau Giang has made enormous strides in economic development, with its annual GDP growing more than 12 percent. Industrial zones, trade centres and urban areas have been taking shape along its Xa No canal.

He pointed out Hau Giang’s weaknesses in development, including poor economic competitiveness, low quality human resources, low efficiency in the application of advanced technology to agricultural production, and a high rate of unemployment among youth.

He assured the people of Hau Giang that the government will work with their provincial administration to solve these problems and ensure that Hau Giang continues making headway toward sustainable development.

Leaders commemorate nation’s founders

State President Nguyen Minh Triet, and many other Party and State officials burned incense to commemorate Hung Kings – the founders of the Vietnamese nation – at a solemn ceremony in Phu Tho province on April 23.

In his speech, Mr Triet expressed his never-ending gratitude to Vietnamese ancestors, President Ho Chi Minh, revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes and war martyrs who bravely fought for national independence and freedom, as well as for the people’s happiness and well-being.

“Having experienced many upheavals over thousands of years, Vietnam has today made many important achievements of historical significance,” said Mr Triet. “The country has achieved relatively high economic growth for many consecutive years, maintained its socio-political stability, national defence and security, elevated its status internationally and improved its people’s standard of living.”

He confirmed that these achievements are testimony to the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the result of national unity and the extraordinary efforts from the entire Party, people and army.

President Triet called on his fellow Vietnamese countrymen, no matter where they are, to join hands to bring into full play the bloc of great national unity and build a strong and prosperous Vietnamese nation.

In his oration, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Tien Tho confirmed the great significance of the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary and praised the Kings for their immense contribution to founding Van Lang– the first independent and sovereign State of the Vietnamese people several thousand years ago.

To defend the nation, he said, generations of Vietnamese people have been united, driving away foreign invaders and wresting back national independence and freedom.

His speech also highlighted the Vietnamese people’s feelings towards their roots, their national patriotism, love for peace and international solidarity, and great national unity under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

After the ceremony, President Triet and leaders from various other provinces laid wreaths at the Hung Kings’ Tomb.

The Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary is observed on the 10th day of the third lunar month to pay respect to the founders of the Vietnamese nation. It is part of the Hung Kings Temple Festival, which starts on the first day of lunar March.

About 5.5 million pilgrims, including overseas Vietnamese, have taken part in diverse activities of the 10-day festival.

EU assists Vietnam’s legal reforms

The European Union (EU), along with its partners, Denmark and Sweden, in the Justice Partnership Programme (JPP), attaches special importance to beefing up its judicial reforms, said the EU mission chief in Vietnam.

Sean Doyle, Ambassador and Head of the EU mission in Vietnam told the first meeting of the Partnership Committee in Hanoi on April 22 that clear policies and resolve will ensure the JPP success.

The European donors have contributed 18.7 million EUR to the programme’s total budget of 20.1 million EUR which is to run from 2010 to 2015.

The beneficiaries from JPP included the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy and Vietnam’s Bar Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice. The move is also to support non-Governmental organizations’ initiatives on legal reforms.

Deputy Minister of Justice Hoang The Lien hailed Partnership Committee as an effective forum for the donors and the beneficiaries to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme.

The committee focused its discussions on the latest priorities in Vietnam’s judicial reform strategy for the 2010-2011 period and orientations for those agencies and organizations that participate in drawing up the action plan based on the strategy.

Co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Justice Hoang The Lien and Danish Ambassador Peter Lysholt, the Partnership Committee meets once annually.

Chinese province to boost ties with Vietnam

The Chinese province of Sichuan wants to develop the friendly and cooperative ties with Vietnamese localities, says Sichuan governor Jiang Jufeng.

The visiting Governor made the statement while meeting with Truong Tan Sang, politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat, in Hanoi on April 22.

He affirmed that his visit to Vietnam is part of agreements reached during Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Sichuan to boost economic, trade and investment cooperation between Sichuan and Vietnamese localities.

Governor Jiang expressed his pleasure at the fine development of the neighbouring friendship and cooperation between the two countries in recent times, as well as the strengthening of multi-faceted cooperation between Sichuan and ministries, sectors and localities in Vietnam. Those fine relations have brought benefit to both sides, he stated.

The Vietnamese Party official congratulated Sichuan on their achievements in overcoming the devastating aftermath of the May 2008 earthquake, and their successes in socio-economic development.

He praised the increase of exchanges between agencies and Party organisations, authorities and people of the two sides, which have helped boost mutual understanding and trust. He expressed his belief that the visit will expand bilateral cooperation.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem received the Chinese guest in Hanoi.

During the visit to Vietnam from April 21-25, the Sichuan delegation is scheduled to visit Hai Phong city, Thua Thien-Hue city province and Ho Chi Minh City.

PM Dung to attend Shanghai World Expo

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and visit the coastal Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang from April 26 to May 1.

The trip was made at the invitation of the Chinese government and the administrations of the two provinces.

Businesses from nearly 200 countries and 47 international organisations have registered to attend the expo due to open its doors on May 1. About 70 million people are expected to visit the expo.

Vietnamese businesses will showcase their products on 1,000square metres and the official website of the expo’s organising board.

35th anniversary of liberation of south Vietnam celebrated in Cuba

The 35th anniversary of the liberation of south Vietnam was celebrated in Havana, Cuba on April 21 by the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba.

The celebration was attended by Deputy Head of the Communist Party of Cuba’s (CPC) Commission for Foreign Affairs Oscar Martinez Cordoves, Vice Chairwoman of the ICAP Alicia Corredera Morales, Vice Chairman of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association and Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong and many dignitaries.

In a speech, Mr Cong highlighted the great significance of the victory on April 30, 1975 which effectively ended the general uprising and Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate south Vietnam and achieve national unification.

The Vietnamese Ambassador thanked the Cuban Party and people, particularly revolutionary leader Fidel Castro for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and its current process of national construction and defence.

On the occasion, Mr Cong presented some mementos to Cuban journalist Martha Rojas and the ICAP leadership.

Witnesses recall memories about Great Spring Victory in 1975

The Vietnam Military History Institute and the Ho Chi Minh Museum co-organised a talk on the “Great Spring Victory 1975” on April 21 with ten people who witnessed the event.

They are those who used to work for the US-backed Saigon regime, and Buddhist monks, nuns and priests, who ran secret activities to contribute to fully-liberating Saigon.

Trieu Quoc Manh, an ex-judge for the Saigon regime, who was invited to act as Police Chief of Saigon and Gia Dinh province, recalled his release of political prisoners captured during the regime.

The chief nun of the Ngoc Phuong monastery said that religious dignitaries had enthusiastically mobilized Buddhist followers to take part in various movements, including those to claim peace and release political prisoners.

Huynh Van Cang, a former member of the HCM City Party Committee and Director of the municipal Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Department, said he and other officials had persuaded a large number of draft dodgers and military officers serving the Saigon regime to fight for the liberation of the south.

The Great Spring Victory on April 30, 1975 is a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism of Vietnam and is one of the most outstanding events of the 20th century.

Meanwhile, a symposium was held in Hanoi on April 21 to discuss the historical significance of the role the Party played and its and political work during the Spring Offensive of 1975.

Participants in the seminar underlined the theoretical and practical lessons about the quality and effectiveness of the Party and its political work when training political commissars for the army.

They put forward several practical and concrete measures to raise the quality of training at the Defence Ministry’s Political Institute.

The delegates discussed the victory over US aggression during the war of resistance, which culminated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign leading to the compete liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification.

The great victory was attributable to the Party and State’s creative application of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thoughts and the combination of national unity and strength, they noted.

Speaking at the event, Director of the Political Institute Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Quoc highlighted the historical value of the war of resistance against US aggression, the Spring 1975 Offensive and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

The April 30 Victory has become a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism and one of the most outstanding events of the 20th century, he added.

Greek Communists tighten relationship with Vietnam

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will try its best to tighten its traditional friendship with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) to contribute to boosting friendship and cooperation between the two nations, said a KKE official.

Mpellou Eleni, KKE politburo member in charge of ideological affairs, who is leading a KKE delegation on a week-long working visit to Vietnam, made the remark while meeting with To Huy Rua, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Head of its Information and Education Commission in Hanoi on April 21.

The Greek party official praised Vietnam’s achievements in its national renewal over the past 25 years, describing them as good experiences from which to learn for the KKE and other forces working for peace, democracy and socialism in the world.

He briefed the host on major issues in his country and in the EU, especially the impact of the global economic crisis and future prospects for left-wing forces in Europe.

MR Rua told the guest about recent developments in Vietnam and preparations for the 11th Congress of the CPV in 2011. He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the enhancement of friendship and cooperation with the KKE and the Greek people.

He hoped that the KKE would overcome difficulties to confirm its position and fulfil its targets in their struggle for the people’s welfare, democracy and social progress.

Earlier, the KKE delegation met with Hoang Binh Quan, politburo member, Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.

The two sides exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern and worked out measures to further boost cooperation between the two Parties and countries, as well as between Vietnam and the EU.

During the visit, which started on April 16, the KKE delegation paid a tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and had working sessions with the CPVCC Theoretical Council, the Ho Chi Minh Politics and Administration Academy, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Communist Review.

They also visited the port city of Hai Phong and the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

Lenin’s 140th birthday celebrated

A meeting to mark V.I. Lenin’s 140th birthday (April 22) was held in Hanoi on April 21, to stress the everlasting value of his thoughts and cause as well as his significance to revolutionaries around the world and in Vietnam.

On addressing the meeting, Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and Permanent Secretary to the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee, highlighted Lenin’s great contributions to the working class cause, the struggle against imperialism and the struggle for peace, independence and freedom of nations throughout the world.

During Vietnam’s revolution, Lenin’s thoughts opened up new horizons, and gave the Vietnamese people strength in their struggle for national liberation and socialist construction, he said.

While leading the revolution, the Party has creatively applied Lenin’s thoughts to the country’s situation, said Sang, adding that the people under Lenin’s flag and the Party’s leadership successfully carried out the August Revolution and defeated the French colonialists and the US imperialists to unify the country.

Vietnam is now engaged in the process of socialist construction and national defence to turn Vietnam into a strong country with prosperous people and a fair, democratic and civilised society, he stressed.

In the renewal process, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people have raised public awareness of Marxism-Leninism and have creatively applied these principles to the country’s revolution, he stated.

NA Chairman receives three new ambassadors

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong received the newly appointed Russian, Polish and Singaporean ambassadors to Vietnam in Hanoi on April 20.

The NA Chairman warmly welcomed the ambassadors, who will assume their assignments in Vietnam in the context of growing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the three countries. He expressed his wish that the diplomats with their experience and understanding of Vietnam will actively contribute to boosting relations in numerous areas.

At his meeting with Russian Ambassador Andrey Grigorievich Kovtun, NA Chairman Trong suggested the two countries bolster cooperation in economics, trade, investment and tourism to match with their productive, time-honoured political ties, especially in areas which are Russia’s strengths and where Vietnam needs assistance such as power, oil and gas, education and training.

The two sides need to develop bilateral cooperation at both grassroots and central levels, particularly at multi-party forums, he said.

At a reception for Polish Ambassador Roman Iwaszkiewicz, the NA Chairman offered his condolences over the death of President Lech Kaczynski and his delegation in a plane crash in Russia on April 1. He said he hopes the state and its people will find a way to come to terms with their grief and stabilise their country.

While meeting with Singaporean Ambassador Simon Wong Wie Kuen, the NA Chairman underscored the development of Vietnam-Singapore ties in terms of pace, scale and effectiveness, saying that the two countries have creatively and comprehensively cooperated in economics, trade, investment, tourism, health care and education.

He expressed his hope that Singapore, with its important position in the region, will support Vietnam in fulfilling its role as Chairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

NA External Relations Committee begins 19th session

The NA Committee for External Relations began its 19th session in Hanoi on April 20 to hear reports on external activities and discuss issues of importance to voters.

The National Assembly (NA) deputies highlighted the Foreign Ministry’s contributions to increasing the effectiveness of the relationship between Vietnam and other countries, and international and regional organisations as well as Vietnam’s role and position in the international arena.

The Foreign Ministry’s leaders and NA deputies discussed issues of voter concern, focusing on the global economy and its impact on Vietnam , the national economic recovery and trade balance in the country’s relations with other countries.
The participants reached consensus on the signing and ratification of the Hague Convention of May 29 1993 on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Inter-country Adoption.

Vietnam is among 64 countries that ratified the Hague Convention on May 29, 1993.

During the two-day session, the participants will hear reports on the country’s activities during Vietnam’s year as Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and preparations for the 31st AIPA General Assembly in September along with the celebrations of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

President Triet receives Bern Mayor

On April 20, State President Nguyen Minh Triet received Alexandre Tschaeppaet, the Mayor of Bern in Switzerland, who is visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, Nguyen The Thao.

Mr Triet thanked Mayor Tschaeppaet for his visit and expressed his delight at the fine development of the friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland as well as between localities in both countries. He praised the cooperation agreement signed between Bern and Hanoi in the fields of economics, urban management, environmental protection, tourism and sports.

Mayor Tschaeppaet said that Bern and Hanoi have many similarities in history and culture and that Swiss people are longing to welcome President when he visits Switzerland in May.

Despite its rapid urbanisation, Hanoi still retains its old and original architecture. Bern is willing to share experience and help Hanoi to deal with arising issues related to urban management, Mr Tschaeppaet emphasised.

PV