Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong asked
Kon Tum provincial Party Committee and authorities to take the initiative in
improving ethnic people’s living standards, particularly during the current
period of high inflation.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (second left) meets local ethnic people in Dak Ha District in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum. (Photo: VNS)

The
Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman made the request at a
meeting with provincial authorities during his two-day visit to the province
which wrapped up yesterday, April 17.

He
called on local authorities to settle issues relevant to the locality, such as
ensuring the supply of agricultural land to ethnic people, improved irrigation,
protecting existing forests, narrowing the development gap, alleviating poverty
and improving education.

Trong
said along with improving people’s living standards, the province must also
consider Party building and administrative reform as key duties.

He
encouraged local officials to ensure the successful organisation of the election
of the 13th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the
2011-16 term.

At the
meeting, Trong also praised the province for quickly studying and implementing
the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress.

He also
requested that the province study and thoroughly grasp strategic policies with
specific targets with a view to creatively applying them to Kon Tum Province.

According to provincial Party committee secretary Ha Ban, annual average per
capita income in Kon Tum Province is more than VND13 million (US$619).

In the
first quarter of this year, despite the province incurring losses due to
droughts, livestock diseases and crop losses, export turnover and budget
collection continued to increase.

The
province also licensed 18 investment projects, established 78 enterprises and
generated more jobs.

Earlier,
Trong toured Gia Lai Province on April 15 and 16.

He told
Gia Lai to pay due attention to the management and utilisation of land and
forest resources, the building of a transparent and healthy political system,
particularly at a grassroots level, and attempt to narrow gap between the rich
and the poor.

He
stressed that in the current situation, it was necessary to prioritise the
curbing of inflation and the settlement of immediate issues.

Trong
commended the provincial Party Committee, authorities and people on the
effective implementation of Party and State policies.

Despite
inflation, droughts and cattle diseases in the first quarter of 2011, Gia Lai
attained an economic growth rate of more than 12 per cent and contributed VND817
billion ($38 million) to the State budget.

Trong,
who is also Chairman of the Central Election Council, noted the province had
made thorough preparations for the election of the13th NA and People’s Councils
at all levels for the 2011-16 term.

He
reminded Gia Lai to ensure the appropriate proportion of women and ethnic
minority candidates were selected.

* VN
congratulates Cuban communists

The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV)’s
Central Committee has sent a congratulatory message to the 6th National Congress
of the Communist Party of Cuba, which opened in Havana on Sunday.

The
message mentioned the political unrest in the Middle East – North Africa, the
imperialists’ imposition and intervention, the financial crisis, and climate
change, which pose challenges to nations in the world, especially developing
countries.

“The
Communist Party and fraternal people of Cuba have made great efforts and gained
encouraging results in updating their economic model in order to raise labour
efficiency and productivity, promoting fast and sustainable economic
development, while firmly defending the revolution’s achievements,” wrote the
Central Committee.

“We
strongly believe that the 6th Congress of your Party will create a strong
motivation for fast, firm economic development. The Cuban people, under the
clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba headed by leader Fidel
Castro and President Raul Castro, will overcome all difficulties and challenges
and will continue to develop their nation, while successfully building socialism
in the free, beautiful and heroic country of Cuba.”

The
Communist Party and people of Viet Nam successfully concluded the 11th National
Party Congress this year, where they affirmed to continue the renewal process in
a comprehensive manner to form a foundation for Viet Nam to become a
modern-oriented, industrialised country by 2020, advancing to socialism.

In its
message, the CPV Central Committee highlighted the unceasing development of the
relationship between the two Parties, States and peoples in recent years,
affirming Viet Nam’s gratitude to the fraternal, faithful and pure solidarity,
the impartial support and assistance from the Cuban Party, Government and
people.

Fidel
once said: “For Viet Nam, we are ready to devote our blood.” The statement
serves as a symbolic reminder of the noble relations the countries have shared.
The CPV Central Committee took this opportunity to reaffirm the consistent
stance of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam in accelerating, increasing
and strengthening the friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive co-operation
between the two Parties, States and peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba.

VNN/VNS/VOV