VNA Ha Giang called to tap potential, resources National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An has urged northern border Ha Giang province to make full use of its potential and on-the-spot resources to further develop a commodity economy, thus helping reduce poverty and improve the people's knowledge and health care as well as ensure national defence and security. "Ha Giang should be fully aware of its position and duty as a border province to broaden international relations and co-operation, make the Vietnamese-Chinese borderline one of peace and friendship, bolster external economic relations, and firmly preserve political stability and social order and safety," An said at a meeting with the local authorities last Wednesday. Nguyen Van An, who made a four-day fact-finding tour of Ha Giang and attended the celebrations of the 110th founding anniversary of the province, told local leaders that there remained untapped potential and resources to be harnessed in the region. "Each and every district should tap all its potential and strength for effective utilisation of its agriculture and livestock on the basis of its natural resources and conditions," the NA Chairman emphasised. An, who is also a Party Politburo member, praised the mountain province for having attained an annual economic growth rate of 8.9% over the past decade, beating the national average. This has allowed more funds for developing infrastructure facilities and improving the people's living standard. He lauded the local leadership and people for their efforts to become self-sufficient in food and ensure food security, reduce poverty and build roads to every commune and district. The local authorities were also urged to attach importance to Party building and rectification work, while boosting socio-economic development in the locality. (VNA) **** Leaders meet veteran revolutionaries, Heroic Mothers Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh received veteran revolutionaries and exemplary cadres from Tu Ne commune and Muong Khen town, Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh northern province in Hanoi on August 22. The vice president said she hoped that veteran revolutionaries and cadres of Tan Lac district would be the vanguard in the national construction and set good examples for their children to follow. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam met in Hanoi Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries from Can Tho Mekong delta province on August 21 in Hanoi. **** Japanese trade union delegation visits A delegation of the Japanese Federation of Textile, Garment, Chemical, Commercial, Food and Allied Industries Workers' Unions (Zensen) of Japan is on a working visit to Vietnam from August 22-26. Upon arrival on August 22, the delegation, led by Chief of Zensen Gunma Prefectural Branch Akihito Shimizu, had a working session with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL). The delegation heard Nguyen Van Dung, Presidium member and director of the External Affairs Department of the VGCL, speak about VGCL's structure, functions, tasks, and plans to expand co-operative relations with trade unions in the Asian-Pacific region and the world. The Japanese delegation is interested in trade union activities of various economic sectors in Vietnam; unemployment; regulations for working and rest time, and salary levels; settlement of labour policy breaches; labour contract implementation; labour hygiene and safety; and women's role in trade unions. (VNA) **** Downpour deluges southern provinces Unabated torrential rains deluged many roads and uprooted many old trees in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21. Meanwhile, long-lasting heavy rains, accompanied by whirlwinds, pulled down and damaged 87 houses in Cu Chi district in Ho Chi Minh City. The local administration has provided VND 24 million to affected households to help them overcome the aftermath of the natural calamity. Heavy rains and floodwater from the Dong Nai river, which have hit the Central Highlands Lam Dong province since August 15, inundated two districts of Cat Tien and Da Te. As of August 21, floodwater submerged 300 hectares of rice, houses, clinics and schools in these two districts. Prolonged torrential rains flooded many communes in Tan Phu district, Dong Nai southern province. Nearly 1,000 houses and over 1,100 hectares of crops were flooded. The local administration has evacuated 800 Dong Nai riverside flooded households to safer places. Downpours in southernmost Ca Mau province over the past seven consecutive days have obstructed local production and agriculture. The provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control helped the locals strengthen the dyke and dam system. Heavy rains, together with tidal waves, also inundated many places in Can Tho Mekong delta province. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
