VNA IMF official praises Vietnam's progress Resident representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Vietnam, Dennis de Tray, praised at the great changes Vietnam has made over the past 15 years in its national construction process. Mr de Tray was talking on July 28, with Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, before ending his term of office in Vietnam. Mr de Tray promised to continue contributing to strengthening the relations between the IMF and Vietnam. Mr Manh thanked the IMF and Mr de Tray himself for their assistance and support to Vietnam in recent years. The Party leader affirmed the orientations adopted by the Ninth National Party Congress: to accelerate the national renovation process; to combine economic development with implementation of social progress and equality; to insist in the foreign policy of national independence, self-determination, openness, diversification, and multilateralisation of relations; to expand external relations; to integrate into the international economy; and to attach importance to developing relations with international organisations including the IMF. (VNA) **** NA delegation visits European countries A delegation of the National Assembly (NA), headed by chairman of its External Relations Committee, Do Van Tai, paid working visits to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania from July 17 to 27. Mr Tai had working sessions with parliamentary officials of the above-said countries. He also worked with officials of the Foreign Ministries and research agencies on foreign trade and investment in the three eastern European nations. During bilateral meetings, the three countries spoke highly of the development of their traditional friendship and co-operation with Vietnam. They affirmed their determination to further boost those fruitful ties with Vietnam, particularly in the fields of foreign trade and investment. The need to enhance co-operative ties between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), and between members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the EU was also touched upon during those meetings. Mr Tai met with the Vietnamese communities in those countries, briefing them on Vietnam's recent socio-economic development as well as the country's orientation for future development passed by the Ninth National Party Congress a few months ago. Representatives of those Vietnamese communities expressed their joy at and confidence in the Party and the State's policies to boost national industrialisation and modernisation to achieve the goal of a prosperous people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic, and civilised society. (VNA) **** Mongolian foreign minister ends visit Mongolian Foreign Minister Luvsangiin Erdenechulum left Hanoi on July 29, concluding a four day official visit to Vietnam. During the visit, Minister Erdenechulum was received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. He held talks with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien and had a working session with Ngo The Dan, chairman of the Vietnamese Sub-commission to the Vietnam-Mongolia Inter-governmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Co-operation. During these meetings, the two parties exchanged views on measures to boost the two countries' traditional friendship and co-operation, particularly economic and commercial ties. An agreement on Vietnam-Mongolia cultural co-operation was signed on the occasion. Minister Erdenechulum paid a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, and visited his residence and office. He also called at some economic, cultural and education establishments. (VNA) **** Parliamentary delegation visits Laos A delegation of the Vietnam-Laos Parliamentarians' Friendship Group, led by its head Nguyen Van Son, paid a working visit to Laos from July 26-29. Mr Son is also member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and director of its Commission for External Relations. The Vietnamese delegation was received by Samane Viyaket, Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and president of Laos's National Assembly, in Vientiane after its arrival. President Samane spoke highly of the groups' visit, saying that both countries' parliamentarians should enhance exchanges of information and educate their young generations about the Vietnam-Laos friendship, solidarity and comprehensive co-operation which were originally forged by the late President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and President Kaysone Phomvihane of Laos. During its stay in Laos, the delegation held talks with the Lao delegation led by Pani Yathotou, member of the LPRP Central Committee and permanent member of Laos National Assembly Standing Committee. They informed each other of their respective countries' situation and the two legislatures' activities. They focused discussion on measures to further accelerate co-operation between the two legislative bodies, particularly the two parliamentarians' groups, with the aim of developing the Vietnam-Laos special friendship. The Vietnamese delegation also held working sessions with the chairman of Laos's National Assembly Commission for Foreign Affairs, Saysomphone Phomvihan, and with leading officials of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. (VNA) **** War Invalids, Fallen Combatants Day marked in Laos The General Consulate of Vietnam in the southwestern town of Pakse, Champasak province, Laos, the Vietnamese Association in Champasak, the Party Committee and Administration Committee of Paksong district and many Vietnamese people held an incense offering ceremony and laid wreaths at the Monuments of Vietnamese and Lao war martyrs in Paksong. Earlier, the General Consulate of Vietnam in Pakse and Vietnamese Associations in localities visited and presented gifts to families having war martyrs and those who have recorded great services to the revolution. The Monuments to Laos war martyrs and Vietnamese fallen combatants-volunteers are built in the centre of Paksong on the Plateau of Bolovens. **** Prolonged drought hits Quang Tri Quang Tri central province has experienced a long spell of hot weather for the past three months. The province suffered three heat waves in July alone with the highest temperature reaching 39.7 degrees centigrade. This caused droughts in many places and threatened the local people's production and daily life. The rainfall in July stood at only 21.3% of the yearly average level according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The water level of many main rivers rapidly reduced, some rivers and lakes have even dried up. The water in some parts of the main artificial lakes was only equal to 25% of that of the designed capacity as of July 28 and 50% of that of the same period last year. The provincial authorities asked administrations at all levels and the agricultural sector to promptly implement the drought control work. Of this, attention must be paid to saving water, implementing alternating water supply and minimising water loss in irrigation works. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
