En extract.
>NA Chairman Calls for Closer Ties between IPU and UN Having experienced great
>losses and made sacrifices for national independence and the people's
>happiness, the National Assembly and the people of Vietnam are trying their
>best to bring into full play their internal strength, striving for the
>objectives of 'a wealthy people, an economically strong country, an equitable
>and advanced society.' So said Nong Duc Manh, Chairman of the National
>Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Conference of Presiding
>Officers of National Parliaments held in New York, August 30 and September 1,
>2000. He went on to say that Vietnam had been holding fast to the fundamental
>principles of international relations, namely respect for each other's
>freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference into each
>other's internal affairs, equality and peaceful co-existence, and development
>of friendly and co-operative relations with all countries in the world
>community. On behalf of the National Assembly and the people of Vietnam,
>chairman Manh extended his greetings of solidarity and co-operation to the
>Presiding Officers of National Parliaments, and greetings of peace and
>friendship from the Vietnamese people to the world's peoples on the occasion
>of the Conference, an important event for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
>He welcome the initiative of all IPU members to hold this historic conference
>immediately before the United Nations Millennium Summit, marking a new
>development in the co-operation and relationships among peoples of the world,
>and between the IPU and the UN at a crucial juncture when humanity was about
>to enter a new millennium. "In the first years of the 21st century," he
>stressed, "peace and co-operation are the major trends reflecting the pressing
>demands of nations and states. However, local wars, armed conflicts, religious
>and ethnic contradictions, armed races, subversive interventions, terrorism
>and social and economic crises of increasing complexity are likely to occur in
>many parts of the world. Therefore, for peace to be maintained, security
>guaranteed, and democracy and human rights respected, all countries should
>adhere to the fundamental principles of international relations as enshrined
>in the United Nations Charter. All countries, big or small, strong or weak,
>are equal members of the United Nations. The internal affairs of each country
>should be managed solely by its people and international affairs collectively
>discussed by all countries. This represents the common will of all nations and
>peace-loving peoples as well as an irreversible historical trend." He pointed
>out: "Globalisation, as an inevitably objective trend, is developing very
>swiftly and contributing to the promotion of productive forces and the world
>economy. However, globalisation may also have many negative impacts on social
>life and exacerbate the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor in and
>among world nations. In recent years, economic crises have broken out in many
>countries, consequently driving them into severe destitution, with the poor
>population bearing the heaviest burdens. However, our great desire for a fair
>world has made us believe that the dawn of the 21st century promises a
>brighter future for global co-operation in favour of developing countries,
>first and foremost through poverty alleviation and the narrowing of the
>development gap among nations. We also believe that the IPU will work more
>closely with the UN in resolving emerging issues in the globalisation process
>and ensuring comprehensive and sustainable development for the good of
>humanity. "The 20th century has passed, yet it has left us the indelible
>imprints of human history. This very century saw vigorous economic
>development, fuelled by extraordinary advances in science and technology and
>marked by the creation of very great material wealth, the likes of which had
>never been seen in previous centuries. However, we cannot help but feel uneasy
>about the losses we caused. Apart from the losses of life and property in
>destructive wars, the environment and natural resources are also being
>destroyed by human hands. With this in mind, we are convinced that the
>activities of Parliaments should contribute actively to the conservation of
>the environment and natural resources for our lives today, and those of future
>generations. "Since its inception, the UN has existed as an important forum,
>where states speak for justice, equality and the inevitable existence of their
>territorial sovereignty and national independence. In keeping with vigorous
>development of the world today, we support an overhaul of the organisational
>structure and democratisation of UN operations in order to improve the
>efficiency of its services for the common benefit of all countries. IPU is a
>forum of all peoples where MPs represent their people's earnest and legitimate
>aspirations regarding political, economic, cultural and social issues through
>human-to-human cohesive relationships solidified by mutual understanding and
>noble international solidarity. With the new millennium coming, it is our
>belief that the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union will more
>closely co-ordinate in their activities." Concluding his speech, Chairman Manh
>said: "The National Assembly and the people of Vietnam wish to express their
>high appreciation for the solidarity and effective assistance that other
>peoples have rendered to the Vietnamese people's past struggle for national
>independence as well as their current cause of national construction and
>development. At this forum, I would also like to express our resolve to
>continue enhancing the efficiency of parliamentary co-operation, actively
>contribute to strengthening the IPU and the UN, and further practise democracy
>for the noble ideals enshrined in the UN Charter, for the sake of peace,
>stability and sustainable development." (VNA)
_______________________________________
KOMINFORM
P.O. Box 66
00841 Helsinki - Finland
+358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081
e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.kominf.pp.fi
_______________________________________
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe/unsubscribe messages
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
________________________________________
