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Vietnam, US talk bilateral and regional security
Washington (VNA) – Vietnam and the US discussed bilateral and regional security issues, including recent developments in the East Sea at their fourth annual Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue in Washington on June 17.
The Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue was headed by Standing Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the US delegation by Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro.
According to a joint statement issued at the end of the dialogue, the talks reflected heightened cooperation between the US and Vietnam and built upon the success of the third dialogue held in Hanoi in June, 2010.
During the dialogue, the two sides noted with satisfaction progress made in recent years in all areas of the bilateral relationship, helping consolidate the framework of friendship and multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship based on friendship, mutual respect, and shared commitments to ensure a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and secure Asia - Pacific region.
The participants discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation in multiple areas including non-proliferation, counterterrorism, counternarcotics, POW-MIA accounting, dioxin and Agent Orange issues, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and other areas of defence and security cooperation.
With regard to regional forums, the two sides exchanged views on the promotion of US-ASEAN cooperation and issues concerning the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM+), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
The officials shared interests in working toward a strategic partnership, a theme of the relationship that was reaffirmed during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Hanoi in October 2010.
Vietnam and the US affirmed that cooperation with respect to international and regional security challenges is a natural evolution of mutual and maturing political, economic, cultural, and social ties and helps to cement the economic prosperity of both countries.
Regarding the recent developments in the East Sea , the two sides acknowledged that the maintenance of peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea is in the common interests of the international community and that all territorial disputes in the East Sea should be resolved through a collaborative, diplomatic process without coercion or the use of force.
The two sides noted territorial and accompanying maritime claims should be in conformity with recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and encouraged the parties to reach agreement on a full code of conduct.
The US side reiterated that troubling incidents in recent months do not foster peace and stability within the region, and raise concerns about maritime security, especially with regard to freedom of navigation, unimpeded economic development and commerce under lawful conditions, and respect for international law.
The dialogue took place in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding, helping strengthen and deepen friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The fifth dialogue will take place in Hanoi in 2012.
Earlier on June 16, Standing Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had meetings with Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns, Assistant Secretary for East Asia and the Pacific Kurt Campbell, member of the House of Representatives Ernie Faleomavaega, and officials from the National Security Council, the Department of Defense and the Office of Senator James Inhofe./.
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Journalists need to realise responsibility to people
Hanoi (VNA) – Journalists should be fully aware of responsibilities as well as obligations to the people as part of their distinctive profession so as to come up with honest, impartial news information with respect to the truth.
Dinh The Huynh, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, made the remarks at a seminar in Hanoi on June 18 to discuss professionalism in the modern press.
He urged journalists to hold on the profession’s ethics along with updating their pool of knowledge constantly by immersing themselves into every social activity so their pens can be further sharpened when dealing with major practical issues that arise in the country.
“The Vietnamese press is always essential means of public communication and a forum of the people and it serves social progress and justice,” affirmed Huynh, who is also Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of its Commission for Popularisation and Education.
The participants heard 10 presentations as well as discussions touching upon various aspects of professionalism of the modern press.
The seminar was co-organised by the Vietnam Journalists’Association and the Academy of Journalism and Communication to mark the 86 th anniversary of Vietnam revolutionary press (June 21)./.
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Hoa Hao Buddhists celebrate founding anniversary
An Giang (VNA) – Celebrations of the Hoa Hao Buddhist sect’s 72 nd founding anniversary have been held across Vietnam ’s 15 provinces and cities with support of local authorities.
The sect’s Central Executive Committee said the celebrations took place on the 16 th , 17 th and 18 th of the fifth lunar month, complying with religious rituals and the State laws and embracing the spirit of solemnity, solidarity and thrift.
Seventy-two years ago, Hoa Hao Buddhism was founded by prophet Huynh Phu So, a native of Hoa Hao village, Tan Chau district, Chau Doc province (now Phu My town, Phu Tan district, An Giang province).
The religion, which advocates the practice of Buddhism at home, is thriving in 15 provinces and cities from the central coastal province of Phu Yen southwards with more than 2 million followers and 358 executive committees and places of worship.
With more than 800,000 followers, An Giang province is regarded as the Holy Land of the sect.
Best conditions have always been provided for faith practices and religious activities by Hoa Hao dignitaries and followers, who have also enthusiastically participated in social and charitable activities at their localities as guided by their seniors./.
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VN launches first people-funded methadone clinic
Hai Phong (VNA) – The port city of Hai Phong on June 18 launched a clinic specialised in methadone therapy for drug users, marking it the first facility in the country built mainly with the people’ funds.
The clinic was support by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Vietnam .
This kind of clinic is expected to help drug addicts reduce the frequency of heroine use, especially through injecting, and then give it up by methadone therapy.
With the treatment, there is no need for drug users to engage in criminal acts to support an expensive habit and no longer share needles, the act that can spread diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Patients are more likely to find jobs, heal ties with family, and become stable, productive members of society.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong said the government has carefully studied methadone treatment in other countries before launching it in the country.
Also the Chairman of the National Committee for HIV/ AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control, Trong said he expected the Hai Phong clinic would be a pioneering model for other localities across the country to learn and apply.
Three similar clinics will open in Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong delta city of Can Tho , and the central city of Da Nang this year.
Vietnam plans to roll out methadone treatment, by 2015, to reach 80,000 drug users of the country’s officially estimated 150,000 heroin addicts, who account for the majority of people living with HIV in the country./.
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Hanoi houses FIFA-standard artificial grass pitch
Hanoi (VNA) – A stadium with FIFA-standard artificial grass pitch was inaugurated in the Sports Centre of Tay Ho district, Hanoi , on June 18.
The artificial grass pitch covers 6,800 sq. m of the 7,750 sq. m stadium, which is capable of hosting 2,000 audiences.
The Megastar United company said it poured about 10 billion VND (nearly 500,000 USD) into the stadium and FIFA-standard artificial grass pitch./.
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FIDE helps Vietnam develop chess
HCM City (VNA) – The World Chess Federation (FIDE) will help develop chess in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern province of Binh Duong as part of its global chess promotion and development plan, said the FIDE President.
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov made the commitment when he was received by State President Nguyen Minh Triet in HCM City on June 18.
Under the commitment, FIDE will provide the two localities with advanced teaching methods, competition equipment, including chessboards and timers, and software programmes on chess.
The FIDE official expressed his wish that Vietnam would soon house a branch of the World Chess Academy .
President Triet welcomed the FIDE President’s initiative and his personal assistance in promoting chess, a game of logic, in Vietnam , particularly HCM City and Binh Duong province.
He described the assistance as an advantage for the development of chess movements in the country.
The President said chess is suitable for the Vietnamese people, as evidenced by a number of grandmasters who have shone at international competitions, like Le Quang Liem with an Elo score of 2,700, and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son with an Elo score of 2,635.
On the occasion, President Triet recalled sentiments towards Vietnam by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov when he was the head of the Republic of Kalmykia .
The President also said he profoundly treasured the assistance given to Vietnam in recent years by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov./.
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FIDE helps Vietnam develop chess (correction)
HCM City (VNA) – The World Chess Federation (FIDE) will help develop chess in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern province of Binh Duong as part of its global chess promotion and development plan, said the FIDE President.
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov made the commitment when he was received by State President Nguyen Minh Triet in HCM City on June 18.
Under the commitment, FIDE will provide the two localities with advanced teaching methods, competition equipment, including chessboards and timers, and software programmes on chess.
The FIDE official expressed his wish that Vietnam would soon house a branch of the World Chess Academy .
President Triet welcomed the FIDE President’s initiative and his personal assistance in promoting chess, a game of logic, in Vietnam , particularly HCM City and Binh Duong province.
He described the assistance as an advantage for the development of chess movements in the country.
The President said chess is suitable for the Vietnamese people, as evidenced by a number of grandmasters who have shone at international competitions, like Le Quang Liem with an Elo score of 2,700, and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son with an Elo score of 2,635.
On the occasion, President Triet recalled sentiments towards Vietnam by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov when he was the head of the Republic of Kalmykia ( Russia ).
The President also said he profoundly treasured the assistance given to Vietnam in recent years by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov./.
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Vietnam attends 21st meeting of UNCLOS states parties
New York (VNA) - Vietnam has emphasised the significance and importance of the UNCLOS, a comprehensive international legal order that has been established in the oceans and seas.
The statement was made by Le Luong Minh, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations, at the 21 st Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New York from June 13-17.
All States Parties to the UNCLOS are therefore obliged to implement the UNCLOS in good faith and a responsible manner to ensure just and sustainable uses of the seas and the oceans, Minh said, adding that States Parties must comply with the provisions of the UNCLOS in delimitating their maritime zones in which they exercise their sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction and must duly respect the legitimate rights and interests of other States Parties under the UNCLOS.
“Vietnam always respects and takes into consideration the rights enjoyed by other States under the UNCLOS, thus contributing to the maintenance of regional peace and security and promoting the legitimate uses of the South China Sea in accordance with the UNCLOS,” he stressed.
He affirmed that the Vietnamese government strongly advocates successful implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002 and the eventual adoption of a Code of Conducts (COC) in the South China Sea and is doing its part in this aspect.
“In this connection, we would like to reiterate our consistent position that all claims of national sovereignty or sovereign rights and jurisdiction over maritime spaces that are not in accordance with the provisions of the UNCLOS, such as the nine-dotted line in the South China Sea, illustrated in the map presented by the People's Republic of China to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 7 May 2009, are totally illegal and unacceptable, he affirmed.
In this connection, the Vietnamese diplomat reported on some serious incidents which happened recently in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of coastal states bordering the South China Sea. On May 26, 2011, Chinese marine surveillance vessels severed the surveying cables used by Binh Minh 02, a survey vessel of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Corporation (PVN), which was conducting seismic survey activity in an area only 120 nautical miles from the coast of Vietnam and 340 nautical miles from the coast of China 's Hainan island.
On June 9, 2011, a Chinese fishing vessel supported by two Chinese fishery administration vessels hindered the normal operation of Viking II, a seismic survey vessel chartered by PVN, trying to cut off Viking II’s surveying cable. The Viking II incident took place in an area l70 nautical miles from the closest point on the Vietnamese baselines and 700 nautical miles from Hainan island.
“These intentional, systematic and well prepared activities seriously infringe upon Vietnam ’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf under the UNCLOS, running counter to the provisions of the UNCLOS,” the ambassador stressed.
He went on to say that Vietnam is resolutely opposed to any encroachment upon her legitimate maritime zones by using unfounded territorial and maritime claims to mislead the public into believing that the incidents had taken place in a disputed area.
Such activities do not contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the South China Sea and go counter to the spirit and literature of the DOC, in which ASEAN and China expressed their strong commitments to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region and to international law, he affirmed.
“In this context, Vietnam reiterates its call to all states in the South China Sea region to work more closely with each other to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for cooperation and development in the region and to promote the observance of the UNCLOS,” Minh said.
Sharing the views of Vietnam, many other ASEAN countries stressed the need to strictly abide by the UNCLOS’s regulations while conducting maritime activities, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security in the East Sea region, fully implementing the DOC towards the early adoption of a Code of Conducts on the East Sea./.
This year’s meeting assessed the operations of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the International Seabed Authority, and discussed measures to boost their activities. It also elected seven judges to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea./.
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VN intensifies fight against drug crimes
Hanoi (VNA) – Authorities from central to local levels, Sectors and agencies as well as people should increase their coordination and cooperation in order to effectively implement the State policies and laws in fighting drug crimes, a government leader has said.
The appeal was made by Deputy Prime Minister cum Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitute Prevention, Truong Vinh Trong while launching a nationwide drug prevention campaign at a ceremony in Hanoi on June 19. The event was jointly held by the Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training and Hanoi People’s Committee in response to the National Day and the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26).
Deputy Prime Minister Trong said the country has achieved important results in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking over the past ten years, particularly enhancing the awareness of cadres and people on evil influence of drug, saying that these results actively contributed to stability and development of the country.
For the work to achieve better results in the future, Trong said education activities on this regard should be improved with young people and students playing the vanguard role.
According to Deputy Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant-General Pham Quy Ngo, more than 10,000 cases of drug crimes and over 15,000 offenders were detected and arrested every year and hundreds of drug trafficking rings were eliminated./.
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Hoa Hao Buddhists mark anniversary with call for legal practice
An Giang (VNA)- The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha celebrated the 72 nd founding anniversary at its Holy Land in the southern province of An Giang on June 19, calling on over 2 million followers to practise their beliefs in line with the law.
The celebration was attended by high-profile politicians and military officers, including Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Ha Van Nui, Deputy Head of the Southwestern Region Steering Board Huynh Minh Doan, and representatives from the Political General Department under the Ministry of Defence, along with over 200,000 Hoa Hao Buddhists and followers of other religions.
Tran Thanh Toc, Vice Chairman of An Giang province’s Fatherland Front, reiterated the Government’s unswerving policy for freedom of religion and worship.
“The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha should further strengthen the religious unity, uphold the ethics of religion, lead followers to abide by the Party and State policy and speed up the charity movement as Hoa Hao Buddhism is part of the national unity,” emphasised the senior social activist.
A report released by the sectarian executive council highlighted the religious founder’s teachings that called for harmony of religious practice with the national interest, at which the council emphasised that followers have made it in the recent past.
Hoa Hao Buddhists expressed happiness at the Government’s recognition of the religion’s status by contributing more and more to the charity movement.
It was reported that the Sangha has raised over 115 billion VND for the construction of key-turn homes for the poor and disadvantaged people, building and rebuilding bridges, upgrading roads, free surgery of cataracts for the poor, providing scholarships and teaching aid for poor, gifted pupils and free services for poor patients.
Since its foundation at the Hoa Hao village, which is now turned into the religion’s Holly Land, in An Giang province, the Hoa Hao Buddhism now has over 2 million followers in 17 cities and provinces, mostly in central-southern and southern parts of the country. In its Holy Land in An Giang province alone, the membership surpasses 800,000, who scatter every corner of the province. The province is also home to more than one third of the religion’s 358 executive boards./.
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Vietnam attends 6th ASEAN festival in Japan
Tokyo (VNA) – The Vietnam Youth and Student Association (VYSA) actively participated in activities during the 6 th ASEAN Festival, which was held in Tokyo , Japan on June 19.
Through the event, themed “the World is One”, ASEAN youths and students expressed the solidarity among ASEAN member nations and their support for Japanese youths, students and people who are working hard to overcome earthquake and tsunami consequences.
This was also a chance for ASEAN students to introduce to Japanese and international friends the traditional history and culture of their own countries.
The festival was co-organised by the ASEAN Youth Network in Japan (AYNJ) and the Japanese Student Network for International Exchange (JSNIE).
AYNJ was set up by the youth and student associations of the ten ASEAN member countries in Japan in 2006 to encourage regional young people and students’ active participation in developing the friendship between ASEAN countries and Japan./.
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New level of development in Vietnam-Laos ties
Vientiane (VNA) – Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong’s upcoming visit is expected to bring the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam to a new height.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, who is also Head of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remark in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency before Trong’s visit from June 20-22 at the invitation of Party General Secretary and State President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone.
Sisoulith noted that this will be the first visit to Laos made by Trong since he was elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee early this year, adding that Laos is also the first country the new Party General Secretary of Vietnam chooses to visit.
According to the Lao Deputy PM, the visit will be of importance significance at a time when Vietnam successfully organised the 11 th National CPV Congress and the election of the 13 th National Assembly and Laos just completed the 9 th National LPRP Congress and the election of the 7 th National Assembly.
The visit offers an opportunity for the leaders of the two Parties and the two nations to exchange views on many issues, including international and regional situations and Laos-Vietnam bilateral cooperation, he noted.
Regarding the Vietnam-Laos special relationship, Sisoulith said Laos and Vietnam are close neighbours which stood side by side in their long-term struggle against invaders to win national independence in the past as well as work together in their current national construction and defence.
The Lao people are pleased to find that the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam , built up by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and fostered by successive generations of the two Parties, two States and two peoples, have been continuously consolidated and developed, he said.
Most worthy of note was the joint project to compile the “History of Laos-Vietnam Speical Relations” and the regular organisation of high-ranking meetings.
Bilateral cooperation in national defence, security and external relations continues to be strengthened, as is bilateral cooperation in economics, culture, education, science and technology.
According to a report delivered at the 33 rd session of the Laos-Vietnam Inter-governmental Committee in Hanoi on April 2011, Vietnam remains one of the leading investors in Laos and the two countries’ import-export turnover reached 490 million USD in 2010, up 17.2 percent against the previous year.
Regarding border development cooperation, the two sides have been working together to implement a project on planting more border marks and upgrading existing ones since 2008, Sisoulith said, adding that the project has been deployed on schedule.
The cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries’ Party, Government and National Assembly agencies, mass organisations, social organisations and localities have been expanded, he added.
The Lao Deputy PM affirmed Laos’ wish to continue protecting and developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam to a new level, considering it the rule of development, an important factor for the success of the revolutionary cause in each country, and a valuable heritage of the two Parties and two nations to be passed on to next generations./.
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