Fatherland Front’s ongoing tasks defined by Party leader

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh defined the continuing
tasks of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front at a ceremony to honour the
organisation’s 80th anniversary in Ha Noi yesterday, Nov 17.

The
general secretary wants the front to mobilise and educate the masses so as to
make the entire Party, people and army more aware of the importance of national
solidarity.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh. (Photo: Vietnam+)

He also
wants it to ensure grassroots democracy; supervise and criticise society and
organise patriotic emulation campaigns, including the newly-launched “Day for
the Poor.”

Two
former Party general secretaries, Do Muoi and Le Kha Phieu, President Nguyen
Minh Triet, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Deputy Prime
Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung attended the ceremony for the organisation that was
founded as the Viet Nam National United Front.

General
Secretary Manh said the front through various name changes had affirmed its
status and role in Viet Nam’s socio-political life through its renewed
organisation and work methods.

The
process had cemented ties between the front and people of all walks of life, he
said.

The
front had also executed numerous practical activities that tackled pressing
issues related to people’s livelihoods and enhanced social unanimity.

Viet Nam
Fatherland Front Central Committee President Huynh Dam explained the historical
stages through which the front had passed during the last 80 years. In doing so,
it had upheld its historical role in uniting the nation to heal the wounds of
war; build and defend the fatherland and contribute to the country’s
socio-economic achievements, he said.

The Viet
Nam Fatherland Front is part of Viet Nam’s political system.

Its
44-member organisations include the Communist Party of Viet Nam; the Youth
Union; the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Red Cross Society; the Viet Nam
Lawyers Association and the Viet Nam Evangelical Church.

The
Party and the State bestowed the front with a second Gold Medal at yesterday’s
gathering.

General
Secretary Manh and other senior representatives paid tribute to President Ho Chi
Minh at his mausoleum and burned incense in honour of war martyrs before the
ceremony.

Vietnam’s path to socialism discussed in Argentina

Vietnam and the challenges facing socialism in the
21st century were discussed at a workshop in Buenos Aires , Argentina , on
November 16.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina
Nguyen Van Dao said according to President Ho Chi Minh’s Thought, the goals of
the path to socialism that Vietnam is pursuing are a wealthy people, a strong
country and a civilized, democratic and equal society.

Vietnam’s initial achievements have
contributed to laying out a path of development to socialism in this era, said
the diplomat.

Sociologist Atilio Boron, who is
Director of the Latin America programme on Distant Social Science Education
(PLED-CCC), highlighted Vietnam ’s miraculous achievements in both economic
growth and social development after decades of war.

Boron, who is also a prestigious
political analyst in Argentina , pointed out that one of Vietnam ’s biggest
challenges currently is how to take advantage of the dynamic market economy
while minimising social negative impacts during the globalisation process.

Economic expert Ricardo Aronskind
from the National University of General Sarmiento focused on the shift from a
centralised planning economy to the market economy in Vietnam since the 6th
National Party Congress in 1986.

The professor highly valued Vietnam
’s successful application of the multi-sectoral economy with the State playing a
key role.

However, he pointed out challenges
and difficulties that developing nations are facing in protecting their social
achievements. He said he hoped Vietnam would choose the best way to pursue
revolutionary ideals and build a prosperous country.

At the gathering held by the
Vietnamese embassy, the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute and the PLED-CCC
centre, Ambassador Dao also answered questions on Vietnam ’s key economic
sectors, the role of social equality in the nation’s macro-economic policy and
its foreign policy.

Deputy Prime Minister Hung receives GICHD Director

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem received the
Director of Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD),
Stephan Husy in Hanoi on November 18.

PM Hung praised the centre for
implementing a great deal of cooperation agreements with many countries,
including Vietnam to overcome the consequences of the war.

Bomb and mine deactivation requires
huge material, technical, and human resources and effective cooperation
mechanisms. Therefore, Vietnam needs international support on this issue, said
Mr Hung.

He said he hoped the centre will
continue to help Vietnam carry out agreements on deactivating bombs, mines, and
explosives soon.

Mr. Husy applauded Vietnam’s efforts
in bomb and mine clearing and its 30-years of experience in this field while
affirming that his centre is ready to assist the country in demining as well as
in other activities.

VNN/VOV/VNA