Vietnam Politics in Brief Today

6/12/2009
Vietnam Net

Praise for the Army’s practical contributions to national achievements The Party, State and people of Vietnam always put their utmost confidence in the army, which plays an important role in ensuring the nation’s destiny, said Party leader Nong Duc Manh at a politico-military conference in Hanoi on December 5.

At the conference, Mr Manh delivered a keynote speech on the orientations and tasks for military and national security set for the next few years.

The conference is of great significance for senior military officials and the entire army to raise their awareness of opportunities, difficulties and challenge in fulfilling their tasks for 2010. Over the past few years, the Vietnamese army has contributed to preventing the economic downturn, ensuring social welfare and increasing the quality of Party building thus meeting all requirements for national defense in the current situation, said Mr Manh.

Regarding the tasks for military and national security in 2010, the Party leader said the army is a strong political force and absolutely loyal to the nation, Party, State and people of Vietnam. The army is also a key force in rescue activities and helping people overcome the consequences of natural disasters. The army’s strength is the most important factor in maintaining peace and stability for national development.

Mr Manh called on the Vietnamese army to increase its political awareness and combative capacity to prevent and smash all schemes of sabotage from hostile forces, and understand the Party and State guidelines and policies for dealing with complicated situations, safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaining political stability and ensuring national defense.

The Party leader also asked the Army’s Party Committee to make thorough preparations for all levels of the Party congress towards the ninth Army Party Congress.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese People’s Army, and the 20th anniversary of National Defense Day, Mr Manh conveyed his best regards to generals, cadres and soldiers involved in national defense and expressed his profound gratitude to heroic mothers, martyrs and war veterans.

UN-supported legal reform project launched
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Justice are spearheading a US$6.4-million judicial reform project in Vietnam, according to a press release issued last Friday.

Under the five-year project called Access to Justice and Protection of Rights in Vietnam, the UNDP, together with other domestic and foreign donors, will provide funding needed by the ministry and related agencies to assess the accessibility of the justice system at the local level. The project also aims to map out a strategy for the legal empowerment of the poor, said the release.

The project will research the best methods for judicial reform, including ways to reorganize the court system and legal frameworks.

UNDP has been cooperating with the Ministry of Justice since 1993, including on the Legal Needs Assessment in 2002 and the issuance of the Legal Systems Development Strategy in 2005.

US soldiers’ remains repatriated
A ceremony to send back the remains of four US soldiers was held at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport on Tuesday, the 112th repatriation of its kind since 1973, according to the US Embassy.

The remains and their relics, which were sent in four coffins, were found during a cooperative search conducted between this October and November and were handed in by local people.
Initial autopsies by the two countries’ experts showed that the remnants might belong to US soldiers who were lost in the Vietnam War.

However, they were sent to Hawaii State for further examination.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the US Government’s representative expressed gratitude and appreciation for Vietnam’s human and goodwill policy as well as its effective cooperation in the search during the past years.

Also on Tuesday a mass grave together with soldiers’ belongings was discovered during excavation work at the construction site of a drainage system in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Nguyen Trong Luyen, head of Quang Ngai Town’s Army Steering Committee, said they are yet to identify the remains as also estimate their number.

But local agencies suspect it was the grave of Vietnamese soldiers who died in an attack on Quang Ngai Prison under the US army’s control in 1968, according to Luyen.

An excavation was planned on Wednesday to carry out further tests.

Tra Vinh building Ho Chi Minh Trail by Sea monument
The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh is constructing a monument titled Ho Chi Minh Trail by Sea, located at a wharf where southern liberation troops received secret supply shipments during the Vietnam War.

The project is situated in Con Trung Hamlet, Truong Long Hoa Commune, Duyen Hai District.
Once finished, the VND1.4 billion venture will be replete with statues and a museum covering an area of 8,000 square meters.

The project is expected to finish this month to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Vietnamese People’s Army.

The secret supply route on the East Sea was first used on October 23, 1959.

Government signs on students, teachers for corruption fight

The Prime Minister has approved the introduction of anti-corruption studies at several kinds of educational institutions to increase the awareness and responsibility of officials, teachers, and students in fighting graft.

The syllabuses for schools, colleges, and universities as well as schools of administration and professional management for Party, Government, and social and political workers, and military academies are expected to be changed by 2011.

It is expected to highlight the harmful effects of corruption and shape the attitude of students towards it.

The Government plans to improve the capacity of teachers to serve the anti-corruption efforts.

Vietnam targets becoming regional leader in gender equality
The Government has issued a seven-point programme for advancing women during the country’s national industrialisation and modernisation process in an effort to turn Vietnam into a regional leader in gender equality issues by 2020.

The programme of action calls for an increased awareness and sense of responsibility from authorities at all levels towards furthering women in the modern world by enforcing gender equality to enable educated and professional women to contribute more to the nation’s development.

“Women should have an equal access to employment and enjoy a significant improvement in their standards of living, materially, culturally and spiritually. This will give them the opportunity to play a greater role in society and in all other fields, enabling them to contribute more to the community and their families” emphasises the Government’s scheme.

The seven recommendations include drawing the attention of the whole political spectrum to gender equality issues and encouraging state agencies to work closer together to help women advance themselves.

The programme also calls for legislation concerning women and gender equality issues to be made more accessible, which will increase public awareness.

A comprehensive legal system and the introduction of more appropriate measures are also essential for achieving a fair and equal society.

Ensuring equality between men and women in management positions, especially in State agencies and sectors, is now one of the government’s major objectives.

“More effort needs to be made to utilise all the available resources to achieve gender equality and raise the status of women, including more research and international cooperation,” says the government.

Vietnam backs int’l criminal tribunals
The head of the Vietnamese mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Le Luong Minh has confirmed Vietnam’s stance to support the role and contributions of international criminal tribunals.

“Vietnam has always maintained that perpetrators of the most serious crimes, such as crimes of genocide, war crimes, crime of aggression and crimes against humanity, must be brought to justice,” Mr Minh said at a UN Security Council meeting, which was held in New York on December 3-4.

He said Vietnam considers that as these tribunals are courts of last resort, it is essential to respect the primary role of national jurisdictions and to render capacity building assistance to national judiciaries, as necessary, in order to enable them to take up their judicial responsibilities.
Regarding the situation in Darfur, Ambassador Minh said Vietnam supports the efforts of the African Union to engage with the Sudanese government in deploying the 7-track solution package to achieve peace, security and reconciliation in Darfur.

“We welcome the creation of the AU high-level panel of independent African individuals, whose mandate is to address the inter-linked issues of combating impunity and promoting peace and reconciliation,” the ambassador said.

He called for all parties to the armed conflicts in Darfur to implement the Security Council’s resolution 1593.

“Vietnam supports responsible actions by the Council which takes into account the concern and position of its important regional peace and security partner,” the ambassador added.

The UNSC discussion focused on activities of two international criminal tribunals on former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the last six months of 2009 and report of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to the Security Council pursuant to the Council’s resolution 1593.

NA Chairman Trong visits Hau Giang province
The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang has made remarkable achievements in developing infrastructure, building its electricity network and promoting the education and healthcare sectors, said Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Phu Trong.

He made the remarks while meeting with provincial leaders on Dec. 5 during his working trip to Hau Giang from Dec. 4-5. Earlier on Dec. 4, NA Chairman Trong visited a number of economic establishments in Hau Giang province.

He praised the province’s efforts in resolving social issues and maintaining sustainable development towards a socialist-oriented market economy.

In recent years, Hau Giang has taken dynamic and active measures to attract investment and created good policies on land acquisition and compensation, he added.

The NA leader also asked provincial authorities to pay due attention to improving the living conditions of the Khmer ethnic minority group and those living in remote areas.

Prime Minister to attend opening of SEA Games

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his wife are to attend the opening ceremony of the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 25) in Vientiane, Laos on December 9.

The visit is being made at the invitation of the Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, according to a communiqué released by the Foreign Ministry said in a communiqué on December 4.

Vietnam, Cambodia foster cooperation in various fields
Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to sign a number of agreements soon to further deepen their ties for the benefit of their people.

The agreements cover maritime transportation, cooperation in industry, mining and energy, criminal extradition, labour cooperation and legal support.

The accords were reached at the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province on December 3-4.

Under the co-chairmanship of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Nam Hong, the officials also agreed to address changes in visa exemptions for holders of ordinary passports in the near future.

Additionally, they unanimously agreed to boost cooperation, help each other in developing human resources, and to facilitate trade and investment.

They reaffirmed that the two countries will work harder to raise bilateral trade to 2 billion USD in 2010.

The officials pledged to encourage businesspeople to enhance ties, deploy licensed projects more effectively, and expand investment in the areas of oil and gas production, mining, energy, telecommunications, aviation, finance, banking, agriculture, food processing, fertilizer and animal feed.

They vowed to boost cooperation in agriculture, transport and communication infrastructure development, healthcare, labour issues, sports and physical training, culture and tourism in addition to speeding up border demarcation to complete the work prior to the end of 2012 as previously agreed.

At this meeting, pledges were made for pressing ahead with collaboration in security and defence and the fight against cross-border crimes, and coordinating within sub-regional cooperation frameworks.

Reviewing the results of implementating the agreements reached at the committee’s 10th meeting, Vietnamese and Cambodian officials said they were delighted with the development of their comprehensive ties, notably in economy, trade and investment.

The two countries’ defence and security cooperation has been intensified; security and stability along their shared borders has been maintained, border demarcation and marker planting have been stepped up, and more attention has been paid to cooperation among localities, ministries and sectors, they noted.

The Joint Committee will convene its 12th meeting in Vietnam.

During his time in Cambodia, Khiem paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and paid tribute to fallen Vietnamese volunteers in Cambodia at a monument in Preah Sihanouk province.

Thailand seeks closer partnership with Vietnam
Thailand is ready and determined to be Vietnam’s partner in all fields and at all levels, affirmed Thai Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Somchai Powcharoen.

The Thai diplomat made the affirmation at a ceremony to celebrate the 82nd birthday of the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in HCM City on Dec. 4.

Addressing the ceremony, Somchai Powcharoen and President of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association Thai Truong Hoang conveyed their respects to the Thai King, who received the award “Global Leader” from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The King also initiated over 3,000 projects in irrigation, health care and education benefiting the Thai people.

They also stressed that economic and cultural achievements between Vietnam and Thailand were significant to the development of each side at present and in the future.

Thailand ranks third among ASEAN members and ninth among 84 foreign investors in Vietnam with 198 projects valued at US$5.7 billion.

Thailand and Vietnam have several effective cooperation mechanisms such as rice exports, using the East-West corridor land route, the Greater Mekong sub-region and cooperation within the framework of ASEAN.

On this occasion, Somchai Powcharoen presented VND55.5 million raised at a party to celebrate the Thai King’s birthday, to the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association to organise social activities in Vietnam.

Vietnam, Laos banks boost cooperation
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung praised the State Banks and commercial banks of Vietnam and Laos for strengthening cooperation to serve each country’s socio-economic development.

PM Dung made the compliment while meeting with the Governor of the State Bank of Laos, Phouphet Khamphounvong, in Hanoi on December 4.

The Government leader told his Lao guest that the State Banks of both countries would further their ties, including the sharing of experience in professional training, the application of technology and other aspects to contribute to promoting the two countries’ relationship.

The Lao official briefed PM Dung on the results of his talks with the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, which included agreements on continuing to support each other in improving their professional, technological and service capacity.

He attributed the expansion in the ties between the two banks over the past time to the two Governments’ instruction.

Vietnamese leaders highlight Vietnam-Japan relationship
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that the promotion of economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Japan will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region.

The PM made this remark when receiving a delegation from the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) in Hanoi on December 4.

Vietnam will work together with Japan to further develop bilateral cooperation on the economy and trade, bringing practical benefits and raising the positions of the two counties in the international arena, the PM told Keidanren Chairman Mitarai Fujio.

For his part, Mr Fujio thanked the PM for hosting his delegation and said that Keidaren is eager to meet Vietnamese leaders and entrepreneurs to share experiences in coping with the economic slowdown and discuss strategies for economic development in Asia.

He reaffirmed the Japanese Government’s consistent stand that values relations with East Asian countries. Keidanren pins great hopes on Vietnam’s economic development and commits to actively engage in the economic, trade and investment cooperation programs which have been signed by the two governments, said the Chairman.

The same day, Mr Fujio was also received by State President Nguyen Minh Triet who highly valued Vietnam’s strategic partnership with Japan.

The Vietnamese State leader thanked Nippon Keidanren for giving priority to Vietnam in the past, saying that it has made an important contribution to boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.

He also applauded proactive efforts by Nippon Keidanren’s Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, especially in accelerating the implementation of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative, which aims to improve the investment and business environment in Vietnam and boost the competitiveness of its businesses.

President Triet also expressed his wish that Nippon Keidanren will continue to encourage Japanese enterprises to invest in Vietnam and help the country in technology transfer and human resources training.