US congressmen support Vietnam’s Agent Orange victims

Members of the US congress and the US Department of State have shown their support for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin during a visit to the US by a delegation from the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA).

The visit was made from November 22 to December 4 at the invitation of the US’s Veterans for Peace (VFP) organization and the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC) also based in the US.

The Vietnamese delegation met with the leaderships of the VFP and VAORRC to discuss assistance for AO victims and future cooperation, especially when commemorating the 50th anniversary of the start of the dioxin war against Vietnam on August 10, 1961.

They also met with congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary under the US House of Representatives, congressman Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment under the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the US House of Representatives, and US Representative Bob Filner.

These US parliamentarians expressed their support for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange and welcomed VAVA’s efforts to assist the victims. They stated that the US administration must attach more importance to settling the aftermaths of dioxin in Vietnam.

Mr Faleomavaega said that he regretted not having done enough for the victims in Vietnam and called on both the US and Vietnamese government to take responsibility and address the problem.

During the delegation’s meeting with representatives from the US Department of State, the US side confirmed that the US Department of State gives a high priority to solving the dioxin issue in Vietnam.

Vietnam, Thailand cooperation develops on many levels

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the HCM City Chapter of Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association held a ceremony for the 83rd birthday of the King of Thailand and Thailand National Day (December 5) on December 6 in HCM City.

Consul General of Thailand to HCM City, Somchai Powcharoen, and Chairman of the HCM City Chapter of Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, Truong Hoang, said the relationship between the two nations has been promoted and developed in both bilateral cooperation and at the regional level since establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976.

Diplomats said both nations always support each other in regional cooperation and at international forums.

Vietnam and Thailand organised many people exchanges in recent years, as well as promoting cooperation among localities. Several cooperative mechanisms were set up and operated, including a joint committee on security and politics, joint meetings, a joint subcommittee on security and politics cooperation, and a mechanism for politics consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Somchai Powcharoen said he hoped the cooperation will be further strengthened for the benefit of the two countries, as well as the development of the region.

Also, at the event, Thailand donated VND126.5 million for poor pupils in HCM City.

Gov’t provides VND335 billion for disaster-hit provinces

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a decision entrusting the Ministry of Finance to extract VND335 billion from the State budget and 8,600 tonnes of rice from national reserves to support 11 provinces stricken by natural disasters. 

The PM also asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to continue maintaining a close watch on the scarcity of food and hunger in flood-hit provinces and to keep him informed.

The Provincial People’s Committees Chairmen will be responsible for effectively managing and using the allocated cash and rice, and are expected to mobilise their local budgets and other legal financial resources to surmount the consequences of natural disasters.

HCM City’s official meets Russian guests

Nguyen Van Dua, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee, on December 5 received a visiting delegation of the Communist Party of Russian, headed by Leonist Kalasnicov, Party politburo member, Secretary of the CPR Central Committee.

Dua briefed the guests about the results of the city’s Party Congress, which adopted six programmes aimed at creating breakthroughs in economic development.

He also informed the Russian delegation about the implementation of the campaign to follow the moral example of the late President Ho Chi Minh among Party members to strengthen the ties between the party and the people.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese people always keep in minds the great support and assistance from the CPR and the former Soviet Union as well as from Russia at present to Vietnam in the national development and construction.

He expressed his wish that Leonist Kalasnicov, who is also Permanent Vice Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of the Russian Lower House, would help boost cooperation between the two parties, countries, as well as between Ho Chi Minh City and Russian localities.

Fore his part, Leonist Kalasnicov informed the host about the situation of the CPR, saying especially the CPR has attained victories at the recent local elections, strengthening its the second place on the political arena after the ruling party.

Leonist Kalasnicov pledged to help Ho Chi Minh City to find partners for cooperation and investment.

Politics publisher marks 65th founding anniversary

The National Politics Publishing House organised a ceremony in Hanoi on December 5 to mark its 65th founding anniversary.

Addressing the event, To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, praised the publisher for producing valuable publications in service of the campaign to study and follow the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh, as well as documents for party committee congresses at all levels, and the upcoming 11th National Party Congress.

He hoped that the National Politics Publishing House will make new important steps and more valuable contributions to disseminating the Party’s political theories and ideologies and the State’s laws and policies.

According to Director and Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Duy Hung, established in 1945 with its initial name as the Truth Publishing House, the current National Politics Publishing House has performed well its role in spreading Marxism-Leninism and the Party’s policies and guidelines in society.

The publisher has always ensured the quality of political, theoretical and scientific contents in its publications and constantly diversified genres of books to meet the increasing needs of various readers.

Recognising its contributions, the State has awarded its highest distinction -- the Golden Star Order to the publisher.

VN attends conference of Asian Political Parties

A Vietnamese delegation led by Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC Commission for External Relations, attended the 6th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP 6) in Phnom Penh from December 1-3.

The meeting issued the Phnom Penh Statement, pledging to ensure peace, security and stability in the region based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity; the right of self-determination on economic issues and the political and social regimes of each nation; non-interference in internal affairs; and peaceful solutions to territorial disputes in line with international laws.

The meeting committed to co-operate to peacefully solve urgent regional and global issues, particularly poverty reduction, establishment of an open region, enhancement of economic and trade co-operation at regional and sub-regional levels, and turning the Mekong sub-region into Asia 's sustainable agricultural growth centre.

It also emphasised the need to struggle for environmental protection, join hands against natural calamities and diseases, and protect cultural heritage sites. It also called for national reconciliation in countries involved in civil-conflict, and for a poverty reduction fund and micro-finance fund.

The conference also proposed to set up organisations for women and youth in ICAPP and agreed to hold a tripartite meeting between political parties of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The Vietnamese delegation participated in all activities of the meeting and stressed sustainable development and the role of Asian political parties, proposed a mechanism for exchange of regional security issues and sought an increase in people-to-people exchanges, particularly among youth.

Lawmakers plan to pass four bills next year 

In a Friday announcement, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee said it plans to pass four new laws during the next session of the national legislative body in March.

According to the working plan for the 14-day session, legislators are expected to approve the Law on the Prevention of Human Trafficking, the Capital Law, the Independent Auditing Law, and the Vietnam Sea Law. They will also pass amendments to the Civil Procedures Code.

During the session, the National Assembly will review its whole term of 2007-2011. Lawmakers will also discuss and approve the government’s social, economic and budgetary report for 2010 and its plan for the first months of 2011.

The session is scheduled to start on March 1.

Binh Thuan Province leader resigns  

Huynh Tan Thanh, Chairman of the Binh Thuan Province’s People’s Committee decided to step down, on Wednesday, after a 10-year career as an official.

Thanh announced his resignation at a meeting held shortly after a review of his decade in office with the Provincial People's Comittee.

At the beginning of this year, the Communist Party's Inspection Commission censured Thanh for wrongdoing in granting investment licenses and mishandling violations committed by his subordinates.

In February, 2009, the Chairman reclaimed more than 17,000 square meters of land that had been given to Doi Duong – Thuong Chanh tourism management board and granted the area to Quan Trung Trade and Production Company without conducting any bids.

VN vows to ties with Italy, Britain and DPRK

President Nguyen Minh Triet expressed commitment to relations with Italy , Britain and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) during his separate meetings with their incoming ambassadors in Hanoi on December 6.

Triet told Italian Ambassador Enzo Angeloni that the two countries should continue taking concrete measures to effectively gear bilateral relations to a deeper dimension.

He cited agreements signed by the two countries following his visit to Italy late last year as evidence of fine development of bilateral relations.

For his part, the Italian ambassador emphasised Italy ’s policy of boosting cooperation and assistance to Vietnam through the transfer of advanced technology, while asking for regular exchange of visits at all levels.

He pledged to do his best to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries as well as to promote Italian culture in Vietnam .

Strategic partnership was in spotlight during the Vietnamese State President’s reception of the Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , Dr Antony Stokes.

The Vietnamese State President highly valued Britain ’s huge official development assistance, making it the leading EU donor to Vietnam .

Relations between the two countries have made major progress with the signing of a joint declaration in upgrading bilateral relations to strategic partnership, Triet remarked.

He called for an increase in multifaceted cooperation, focusing on such key areas as trade, investment, ODA and education.

In reply, Dr Stokes expressed his deep impression of achievements recorded by Vietnam in solving challenges emerging from its journey of development, describing them as example for other countries to follow.

He said the two countries should make greater efforts to better tap their individual potential.

Comradeship and loyalty were highlighted by both host and guest at a meeting between the Vietnamese State President and DPRK Ambassador Kim Chang Il.

Triet pledged that the Vietnamese State and people would do their utmost to boost cooperation in all fields with the DPRK, and help each other to develop.

“ Vietnam is always a loyal comrade and friend of the DPRK people and strongly believes that the DPRK will overcome all difficulties to build a strong and prosperous nation for its people,” Triet said.

He also raised deep concerns over the situation in the Korean peninsula and expressed wishes for peace, stability and cooperation for development in the peninsula.

The Vietnamese State leader asked the DPRK ambassador to convey his best regards to General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Jong Il and other leaders of the DPRK.

For his part, the DPRK ambassador reiterated his Government’s unswerving policy to further develop traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam .

He lauded Vietnam ’s success in holding the 17 th ASEAN Summit, which he said has helped increase the Southeast Asian nation’s position in the international arena.

Cultural diplomacy helps Vietnam’s position

Vietnam’s successful cultural diplomacy in 2010 was reflected in activities dedicated to ASEAN and the 1,000th founding anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, and the effort to win UNESCO recognition of the country’s cultural heritages.

This comment was made by Pham Sanh Chau, Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for External Cultural Affairs and UNESCO, at a meeting with the press in Hanoi on Dec. 6.

Playing the role of Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has undertaken to organise a host of activities highlighting the group. These have not only enhanced mutual understanding among ASEAN member countries but also promoted Vietnam ’s image to the world, Chau said.

Noteworthy were the walks for the ASEAN Community of Peace and Prosperity, the publication of a collection of stamps featuring ASEAN, ASEAN culinary week and artistic performances held at gala dinners at the end of the 16 th and 17th ASEAN Summits.

Referring to cultural and artistic activities marking the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, Chau noted the UNESCO General Director’s handover of a certificate recognising Thang Long-Hanoi Citadel as a world cultural heritage on the first day of the ceremony, as a gesture to promote images of culture-rich Hanoi .

He said the organisation of Vietnamese days in a number of countries –including Germany, Russia and China ­– to mark diplomatic ties with these countries in the event year was significant to the country’s cultural diplomacy.

Chau highlighted efforts made by diplomats to win UNESCO recognition of the Thang Long-Hanoi Citadel as a tangible cultural heritage, Giong festival as an intangible cultural heritage and 82 doctor laureate steles in Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) as historical documentary heritage, making Hanoi the first city in the world to have its three heritages honoured by UNESCO in a year.

In the year, Vietnam also won UNESCO recognition for Dong Van Stone Plateau in the northern province of Ha Giang as a member of the Global Network of National Geoparks (GGN).

The country now boasts a total of 13 world heritages, including two natural heritages, four cultural, five intangible, and two historical documentary heritages. It is also home to eight world bio reserves and one global geopark.

According to Chau, in 2011, the cultural diplomacy work will be further stepped up via the deployment of an action plan to implement the Strategy for Vietnam ’s Cultural Diplomacy toward 2020, the acceleration of establishment of a fund for cultural diplomacy and the organisation of Vietnamese days and weeks overseas.

The Department for External Cultural Affairs and UNESCO will work with relevant agencies to seek UNESCO recognition for the Hat Xoan singing genre (Phu Tho province), Ho dynasty citadel (central Thanh Hoa province) and woodblocks engraved with Buddhist sutras of Vinh Nghiem pagoda in northern Bac Giang province./.

Vietnam, Thailand boost bilateral ties

Relations between Vietnam and Thailand have been increasingly promoted and developed at both bilateral and regional levels since Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN in 1995 and diplomatic ties between the two countries were established 34 years ago.

Somchai Powcharoen, the Thai Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City and Truong Hoang, Chairman of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City stated this at a meeting to mark Thailand’s National Day on December 5.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both of them agreed that many cooperative mechanisms have operated effectively, such as the Joint Committee for Trade Cooperation, the Joint Sub-Committee on Politics and Security Cooperation as well as cabinet meetings between both countries and a political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries.

The Thai diplomat said that Thailand would be willing to work with Vietnam to strive to become strategic partners not only for the mutual benefit of both nations but also for the sake of stability, development and prosperity in the region.

On the occasion, the Thai Consulate General and Thai Businesses Association in Ho Chi Minh City donated 126.5 million VND to the VUFO fund to encourage the city’s poor and outstanding students to study.

Founding of Vietnam Zen Buddhism observed

A ceremony was held to observe King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, the founder of Vietnam Zen Buddhism, in commemoration of his 702nd death anniversary in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on Dec. 6 (the first day of the 11 th lunar month).

The event, jointly held by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and its Quang Ninh chapter, was attended by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee’s Executive Board, Most Venerable Thich Quang Tung, who is also Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee’s Executive Board, and Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee.

Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He was famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during 15 years of his reign.

The king abdicated his throne at the age of 35 and spent the rest of his life on the Yen Tu Mountain practising and propagating Buddhism, and founding the Truc Lam School of Zen (the Bamboo Forest School ).

During that time, the King-Monk worked to unify different sects of Vietnamese Buddhism into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee has long observed the day King Tran Nhan Tong attained Nirvana (the first day of the eleventh lunar month) as the national anniversary of Vietnamese Buddhism – one of the major events of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Commemorations of King Tran Nhan Tong’s death anniversary were also held in other localities.

PV