Post on May 02, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY
Friday, May 1, 2009, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
National Press Club, First Amendment Room
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will name six new countries to its lists of nations responsible for committing egregious violations of religious freedom at the release of its ninth annual report on May 1.
At the event, Commissioners will detail abuse in 28 nations, many of which are at the top of U.S. foreign policy agenda, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Iran and Iraq. Commissioners will also provide recommendations to the Obama Administration, the U.S. State Department and members of Congress regarding ways in which U.S. policy can promote human rights and religious freedom in nations USCIRF identifies as the world’s most severe religious rights abusers. The event will be live-streamed over the Internet at –
http://www.visualwebcaster.com/USCIRF-Annual-Report/
USCIRF is a bipartisan Federal Commission, whose Commissioners are appointed by the President of the United States and the Senate and House of Representatives
RSVP: Tom Carter, Communications Director at tcarter@uscirf.gov or (202) 523-3257
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dong Nai helps Cambodia plant cashew trees
By Vietnam +
May 01, 2009
A delegation from Cambodia’s trade ministry, headed by Deputy Secretary of State Veng Sothy, visited southern Dong Nai province on April 29 to learn from its experience in growing cashew trees and processing cashew nuts for export.
Dong Nai’s local authorities expressed their wish to develop multifaceted cooperation with Cambodia’s localities, including growing cashew trees and processing cashew nuts for export.
The province’s Donafoods Company presented 50,000 cashew trees to Cambodia’s Krache province and sent staff to instruct farmers there in plantation technology. Veng Sothy thanked Dong Nai province for their help, saying he hoped for more support in cashew plantation and processing between both localities./.
May 01, 2009
A delegation from Cambodia’s trade ministry, headed by Deputy Secretary of State Veng Sothy, visited southern Dong Nai province on April 29 to learn from its experience in growing cashew trees and processing cashew nuts for export.
Dong Nai’s local authorities expressed their wish to develop multifaceted cooperation with Cambodia’s localities, including growing cashew trees and processing cashew nuts for export.
The province’s Donafoods Company presented 50,000 cashew trees to Cambodia’s Krache province and sent staff to instruct farmers there in plantation technology. Veng Sothy thanked Dong Nai province for their help, saying he hoped for more support in cashew plantation and processing between both localities./.
Vietnam, Cambodia enhance border security
Representatives of border districts in southern Tay Ninh and Long An provinces travelled to the Cambodian province of Svay Rieng to take part in a meeting on how to protect the Vietnamese and Cambodian border.
The two sides reviewed their border operations to contribute to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region.
Cambodia said that the two countries’ border guard forces have carried out their border security tasks well, which has helped to strengthen bilateral trade and tourism. They have also discovered and prevented crimes, including smuggling, and diseases from crossing the border.
In a separate meeting, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, came to an agreement on April 28.
Under it, Vietnam will provide money to help Cambodia construct an building to house archives and information and a human resources training centre.
The two sides reviewed their border operations to contribute to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region.
Cambodia said that the two countries’ border guard forces have carried out their border security tasks well, which has helped to strengthen bilateral trade and tourism. They have also discovered and prevented crimes, including smuggling, and diseases from crossing the border.
In a separate meeting, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, came to an agreement on April 28.
Under it, Vietnam will provide money to help Cambodia construct an building to house archives and information and a human resources training centre.
Vietnam hails peace progress in Cote d’Ivoire
Vietnam’s charge d’affaires to the United Nations has applauded progress in peace consolidation and national reconstruction recorded in Cote d’Ivoire over the recent past.
“My delegation is pleased to note the overall stable security situation, the rebounding economy, the efforts by the Ivorian parties towards the reunification and restoration of state authority agendas,” said Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung at a UN Security Council’s consultation on the African country on April 28.
The ambassador called upon all the parties concerned to jointly overcome difficulties within the wider framework of reconciliation, dialogue and cooperation set out in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, thus helping to ensure necessary conditions for predetermining a realistic date for the elections and successfully organising the expected polls by the end of this year.
He suggested that the supplementary assistance of UN agencies and the international community should be prudently implemented on the basis of local priorities in each particular phase of development, with a view to enhancing national ownership and reconciliation and ensuring maximal utilisation of resources.
Trung acknowledged the Cote d’Ivoire government’s endeavours to cooperate with the UN and regional countries in implementing the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1782 (2007).
Relevant UN resolutions should be implemented on the basis of respect for independence and sovereignty of Cote d’Ivoire, avoiding the causing of more difficulties for civilians, he stressed.
The Vietnamese representative proposed the council to adjust and then lift sanctions imposed on Cote d’Ivoire once the situation becomes normal in a move to strengthen peace, national reconciliation and reconstruction in the country./.
(VNA)
“My delegation is pleased to note the overall stable security situation, the rebounding economy, the efforts by the Ivorian parties towards the reunification and restoration of state authority agendas,” said Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung at a UN Security Council’s consultation on the African country on April 28.
The ambassador called upon all the parties concerned to jointly overcome difficulties within the wider framework of reconciliation, dialogue and cooperation set out in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, thus helping to ensure necessary conditions for predetermining a realistic date for the elections and successfully organising the expected polls by the end of this year.
He suggested that the supplementary assistance of UN agencies and the international community should be prudently implemented on the basis of local priorities in each particular phase of development, with a view to enhancing national ownership and reconciliation and ensuring maximal utilisation of resources.
Trung acknowledged the Cote d’Ivoire government’s endeavours to cooperate with the UN and regional countries in implementing the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1782 (2007).
Relevant UN resolutions should be implemented on the basis of respect for independence and sovereignty of Cote d’Ivoire, avoiding the causing of more difficulties for civilians, he stressed.
The Vietnamese representative proposed the council to adjust and then lift sanctions imposed on Cote d’Ivoire once the situation becomes normal in a move to strengthen peace, national reconciliation and reconstruction in the country./.
(VNA)
Opposition to the government’s plans for the Central Highlands is a “patriotic” duty
May 01, 2009by J.B. An Dang
Redemptorist superior responds to media attacks against two clergymen, saying that “protecting nature and the environment is a necessary condition for human development.” One of the two under attack is on the frontline in the battle for life, something which makes the government unhappy. Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Opposition by two Redemptorists to plans by Vietnam’s government to start open-pit bauxite mining in the Central Highlands, which led to virulent attacks from government media (protest against one of the papers pictured), is “proof of their patriotism,” said Fr Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, Redemptorist provincial superior of Vietnam, in a public statement.
Dated 28 April, the statement explained that scientists, intellectuals, former officials and countless of Vietnamese at home and abroad share the same concern and are adamantly opposed to the government’s bauxite plans for their long term detrimental and impact on the environment and society.
Citing the message of Pope Benedict XVI on World Day of Peace 2007, Fr Vincent Pham said that “there is a reciprocal connection between the ecology of nature, the human ecology, and the social ecology.”
“Experience shows that disregarding the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa. It becomes more and more evident that there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men. Both of these presuppose peace with God,” Fr. Vincent Pham added.
“Protecting nature and the environment is a necessary condition for human development,” he said, adding that “in any development process, in any area, the spiritual and material benefits of the whole community, especially of the poor and the underdeveloped, must be taken into account. The economy must serve the entire society and the welfare of all the members of the society, not just a privileged minority,” he stressed.
For this reason, the concerns and anxieties voiced by Fr Joseph Le Quang Uy and Fr Peter Nguyen Van Khai, the two clergymen attacked by the media, “are proof of their patriotism,” said the Redemptorist provincial superior.
Of the two priests targeted by state media and accused, among other things, of trying to overthrow the government, a crime punishable by death, one, Fr Peter Nguyen Van Khai, is also spokesman for the Thai Ha monastery and parish. The other is Fr Quang Uy, known around the country for his work with the poor and AIDS patients and for his pro-life commitment.
The government is particularly unhappy with the last activity since it views abortion as an effective means for population control. In a country 82 million people, 1.4 million abortions are carried out each year, one of the highest rates in the world.
Experts note that gender inequality, which increases the rate of sex-selection abortions, lower average age for first sexual experiences and the government’s own family planning policy are to blame instead.
Fr Joseph Uy, 50, is the spiritual leader of the ‘Disciples of Jesus’, a group that tries to bring some comfort to the poor and the homeless through small donations and persuade young women with unwanted pregnancies to give their children up for adoption rather than opt for an abortion.
In another development, Hanoi Criminal Investigation Department has repeatedly sent “urgent summoning orders” asking Fr. Peter Nguyen to be present “in person” at the department for the “clarification of a number of documents.” So far, Fr. Peter Nguyen has refused to go and has been backed by priests, religious and parishioners in Thai Ha.
In a statement released on Tuesday 28April, representatives of priests, religious and parishioners of Thai Ha parish said: “Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai is our appointed spokesperson for the Redemptorist monastery-Thai Ha parish. Every single document or statement produced by Rev Peter Nguyen Van Khai as our spokesperson therefore has to be understood with common sense as the reflection of the collective aspiration, will, position, view of all priests, religious, and parishioners from the Redemptorist monastery–Thai Ha parish. Rev Peter Nguyen Van Khai personally is just a member among our community who is responsible for making announcements.”
“All priests, religious and parishioners here at Redemptorist monastery-Thai Ha are in perfect unison and all responsible for any affair, policies, and actions that are pertinent to the Redemptorist monastery-Thai Ha parish,” the statement said.
concluded saying that “Should there be any issue that [requires] the above-mentioned agencies [. . .] to work with the Redemptorist monastery-Thai Ha parish, we ask that it be done with all our priests, religious and parishioners.”
Tata chairman says VN ripe for investment
By VietNamNet/VNS
May 01, 2009
VietNamNet Bridge - Tata Steel is preparing to invest US$5 billion in a steel project in Viet Nam this year. The director of Tata Sons, chairman of Tata International and member of the Confederation of India Industry National Council, Syamal Gupta, talked about the project.
As a member of the Confederation of India Industry (CII) National Council, what do you think about Viet Nam’s investment potential?
Presently, we do not have any major concerns. We believe that the present government policies are aligned to be investor friendly. However, there are a couple of things that can be improved.
Firstly, there should be greater people-to-people interaction between Viet Nam and India. While there have been many business delegations from India since July 7, there have been very few business delegations from Viet Nam to India. This would enhance greater awareness about the business potential in Viet Nam in the Indian business community.
Secondly, in some sectors, licenses awarded are not as per the master plans of the central Government. This may lead to future over capacity and hence lead to investments becoming economically unviable.
Why did Tata Group decide to invest in Viet Nam despite the global economic depression?
The Tata Group had identified Viet Nam as a priority country for investment long before the Global Recession in 2007. Thereafter Tata Steel made its big investment decision that same year.
When we invest, it is from a long-term perspective. The recession is temporary.
We believe in the fundamentals of the Viet Nam economy and the policy-making of the Government.
Tata companies operate in seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals. They are, by and large, based in India and have significant international operations. The total revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was $62.5 billion in 2007-08, with 61 per cent of this coming from businesses outside India. They employ around 350,000 people worldwide. The Tata name has been respected in India for 140 years for its adherence to strong values and business ethics.
Every Tata company or enterprise operates independently. Each of these companies has its own board of directors and shareholders, to whom it is answerable. There are 35 publicly listed Tata enterprises, and they have a combined market capitalisation of some $60 billion, and a shareholder base of 3.2 million. The major Tata companies are Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Tea, Indian Hotels and Tata Communications.
What should Viet Nam do to promote trade and to overcome the economic crisis in general and with India in particular?
It is highly appreciated that the Government of Viet Nam has taken several steps in terms of macro-economic policies to minimise the effects of the crisis.
Firstly, Viet Nam should internalise its demand, which means it should create favourable conditions to promote manufacturing industries either through FDI or through domestic investment. This will reduce the dependence on imports and hence lead to a better trade balance. It is somewhat similar to the India model. You must be aware that India is one of the countries least affected by the global economic downturn.
Secondly, Viet Nam should consider distributing its exports across the globe rather than concentrating only on the West. That is even more the case now that today global demand is shifting from the West to the East. Hence, Viet Nam should actively promote exports to Asia also. The above two macro-policy moves would further minimise the impacts of the global economic crisis on Viet Nam.
Besides steel, what other fields is Tata interested in? Can you reveal Tata’s investment plans for Viet Nam in the near future?
Viet Nam continues to be one of the priority countries for the Tata Group. Tata Steel’s projects in HaTinh Province have been our flagship projects in Viet Nam up till now. It has successfully completed its feasibility study and has applied for an investment licence, which it is awaiting. This is a $5 billion project and will have a great economic impact on the central province of HaTinh and its neighbouring provinces.
Besides that we have also established Tata International Viet Nam, which islooking into bilateral trade in leather, coffee, cars and so on. Tata Consultancy Services is in discussions with banks here about implementing their banking IT solutions.
Tata Motors is discussing with a Vietnamese motor company plans to introduce commercial vehicles here. As and when suitable opportunities come up, Tata Power will be interested in participating in power projects.
There are several other such initiatives which are at different stages involving other Tata Group companies. However, we are all looking forward to the successful implementation of the steel project. Other Tata Group companies will be encouraged and motivated to invest in Viet Nam once that project moves forward quickly.
Bilateral trade turnover between the two countries last year reached about $2.5 billion. Of which, Viet Nam imports items from India worth $2.1 billion. Do you think the figure will eventually be more balanced?
Yes. This can be balanced in two ways. Firstly, by increasing exports to India. There are definitely certain areas and products where Viet Nam is more cost competitive than India. There should be more people-to-people interaction between Viet Nam and India.
Secondly, promoting Indian investments in the manufacturing sector in Viet Nam. Once these plants start producing, I am sure there will be a certain percentage of exports to India also. This will also bring down the trade gap.
May 01, 2009
VietNamNet Bridge - Tata Steel is preparing to invest US$5 billion in a steel project in Viet Nam this year. The director of Tata Sons, chairman of Tata International and member of the Confederation of India Industry National Council, Syamal Gupta, talked about the project.
As a member of the Confederation of India Industry (CII) National Council, what do you think about Viet Nam’s investment potential?
Presently, we do not have any major concerns. We believe that the present government policies are aligned to be investor friendly. However, there are a couple of things that can be improved.
Firstly, there should be greater people-to-people interaction between Viet Nam and India. While there have been many business delegations from India since July 7, there have been very few business delegations from Viet Nam to India. This would enhance greater awareness about the business potential in Viet Nam in the Indian business community.
Secondly, in some sectors, licenses awarded are not as per the master plans of the central Government. This may lead to future over capacity and hence lead to investments becoming economically unviable.
Why did Tata Group decide to invest in Viet Nam despite the global economic depression?
The Tata Group had identified Viet Nam as a priority country for investment long before the Global Recession in 2007. Thereafter Tata Steel made its big investment decision that same year.
When we invest, it is from a long-term perspective. The recession is temporary.
We believe in the fundamentals of the Viet Nam economy and the policy-making of the Government.
Tata companies operate in seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals. They are, by and large, based in India and have significant international operations. The total revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was $62.5 billion in 2007-08, with 61 per cent of this coming from businesses outside India. They employ around 350,000 people worldwide. The Tata name has been respected in India for 140 years for its adherence to strong values and business ethics.
Every Tata company or enterprise operates independently. Each of these companies has its own board of directors and shareholders, to whom it is answerable. There are 35 publicly listed Tata enterprises, and they have a combined market capitalisation of some $60 billion, and a shareholder base of 3.2 million. The major Tata companies are Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Tea, Indian Hotels and Tata Communications.
What should Viet Nam do to promote trade and to overcome the economic crisis in general and with India in particular?
It is highly appreciated that the Government of Viet Nam has taken several steps in terms of macro-economic policies to minimise the effects of the crisis.
Firstly, Viet Nam should internalise its demand, which means it should create favourable conditions to promote manufacturing industries either through FDI or through domestic investment. This will reduce the dependence on imports and hence lead to a better trade balance. It is somewhat similar to the India model. You must be aware that India is one of the countries least affected by the global economic downturn.
Secondly, Viet Nam should consider distributing its exports across the globe rather than concentrating only on the West. That is even more the case now that today global demand is shifting from the West to the East. Hence, Viet Nam should actively promote exports to Asia also. The above two macro-policy moves would further minimise the impacts of the global economic crisis on Viet Nam.
Besides steel, what other fields is Tata interested in? Can you reveal Tata’s investment plans for Viet Nam in the near future?
Viet Nam continues to be one of the priority countries for the Tata Group. Tata Steel’s projects in HaTinh Province have been our flagship projects in Viet Nam up till now. It has successfully completed its feasibility study and has applied for an investment licence, which it is awaiting. This is a $5 billion project and will have a great economic impact on the central province of HaTinh and its neighbouring provinces.
Besides that we have also established Tata International Viet Nam, which islooking into bilateral trade in leather, coffee, cars and so on. Tata Consultancy Services is in discussions with banks here about implementing their banking IT solutions.
Tata Motors is discussing with a Vietnamese motor company plans to introduce commercial vehicles here. As and when suitable opportunities come up, Tata Power will be interested in participating in power projects.
There are several other such initiatives which are at different stages involving other Tata Group companies. However, we are all looking forward to the successful implementation of the steel project. Other Tata Group companies will be encouraged and motivated to invest in Viet Nam once that project moves forward quickly.
Bilateral trade turnover between the two countries last year reached about $2.5 billion. Of which, Viet Nam imports items from India worth $2.1 billion. Do you think the figure will eventually be more balanced?
Yes. This can be balanced in two ways. Firstly, by increasing exports to India. There are definitely certain areas and products where Viet Nam is more cost competitive than India. There should be more people-to-people interaction between Viet Nam and India.
Secondly, promoting Indian investments in the manufacturing sector in Viet Nam. Once these plants start producing, I am sure there will be a certain percentage of exports to India also. This will also bring down the trade gap.
Cambodia 'preparing' for flu
Written by Kay Kimsong
Friday, 01 May 2009
HEALTH officials said Thursday that there is no evidence of swine flu in Cambodia yet, but that the country must not become complacent as cases of the disease multiply rapidly worldwide.
"We've not yet seen this virus in Cambodia, but if and when it does [emerge], it will challenge the health system," said WHO representative Dr Michael O'Leary.
"Cambodia has been preparing for some time and has a well-developed plan to respond to a pandemic," O'Leary added at a press conference organised by the government and WHO, which has stepped up its global alert, signalling that a pandemic is imminent.
The Ministry of Health said that, in addition to measures already put in place to detect suspicious flu cases, people travelling to Cambodia will now be required to fill out health declaration forms.
However, only 157,500 Tamiflu pills, the main treatment for the virus, have been stockpiled, according to the ministry.Sok Touch, director of the Health Ministry's Communicable Disease Control Department, said that the ministry was continuing to work with the WHO, UNICEF and the UN to find ways to tackle the flu threat.
He also said the government welcomed a meeting of ASEAN health ministers later this month to discuss a regional response to the outbreak.
Friday, 01 May 2009
HEALTH officials said Thursday that there is no evidence of swine flu in Cambodia yet, but that the country must not become complacent as cases of the disease multiply rapidly worldwide.
"We've not yet seen this virus in Cambodia, but if and when it does [emerge], it will challenge the health system," said WHO representative Dr Michael O'Leary.
"Cambodia has been preparing for some time and has a well-developed plan to respond to a pandemic," O'Leary added at a press conference organised by the government and WHO, which has stepped up its global alert, signalling that a pandemic is imminent.
The Ministry of Health said that, in addition to measures already put in place to detect suspicious flu cases, people travelling to Cambodia will now be required to fill out health declaration forms.
However, only 157,500 Tamiflu pills, the main treatment for the virus, have been stockpiled, according to the ministry.Sok Touch, director of the Health Ministry's Communicable Disease Control Department, said that the ministry was continuing to work with the WHO, UNICEF and the UN to find ways to tackle the flu threat.
He also said the government welcomed a meeting of ASEAN health ministers later this month to discuss a regional response to the outbreak.
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