VNA
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
"All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain
inalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness"
This immortal statement was made in the Declaration of Independence of the
United States of America in 1776. In a broader sense, this means: All the
peoples on the earth are equal from birth, all the peoples have a right to
live, to be happy and free.
The Declaration of the French Revolution made in 1791 on the Rights of Man
and the Citizen also states: "All men are born free and with equal rights,
and must always remain free and have equal rights." Those are undeniable
truths.
Nevertheless, for more than eighty years, the French imperialists, abusing
the standard of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, have violated our
Fatherland and oppressed our fellow-citizens. They have acted contrary to
the ideals of humanity and justice. In the field of politics, they have
deprived our people of every democratic liberty.
They have enforced inhuman laws; they have set up three distinct political
regimes in the North, the Centre and the South of Vietnam in order to wreck
our national unity and prevent our people from being united.
They have built more prisons than schools. They have mercilessly slain our
patriots; they have drowned our uprisings in rivers of blood. They have
fettered public opinion; they have practised obscurantism against our
people. To weaken our race they have forced us to use opium and alcohol.
In the fields of economics, they have fleeced us to the backbone,
impoverished our people, and devastated our land.
They have robbed us of our rice fields, our mines, our forests, and our raw
materials. They have monopolised the issuing of bank-notes and the export
trade.
They have invented numerous unjustifiable taxes and reduced our people,
especially our peasantry, to a state of extreme poverty.
They have hampered the prospering of our national bourgeoisie; they have
mercilessly exploited our workers.
In the autumn of 1940, when the Japanese Fascists violated Indochina's
territory to establish new bases in their fight against the Allies, the
French imperialists went down on their bended knees and handed over our
country to them.
Thus, from that date, our people were subjected to the double yoke of the
French and the Japanese. Their sufferings and miseries increased. The result
was that, from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, from
Quang Tri province to the North of Vietnam, more than two million of our
fellow-citizens died from starvation. On March 9, the French troops were
disarmed by the Japanese. The French colonialists either fled or
surrendered, showing that not only were they incapable of 'protecting' us,
but that, in the span of five years, they had twice sold our country to the
Japanese.
On several occasions before March 9, the Vietminh League urged the French to
ally themselves with it against the Japanese. Instead of agreeing to this
proposal, the French colonialists so intensified their terrorist activities
against the Vietminh members that before fleeing they massacred a great
number of our political prisoners detained at Yen Bai and Cao Bang.
Not withstanding all this, our fellow-citizens have always manifested toward
the French a tolerant and humane attitude. Even after the Japanese putsch of
March 1945, the Vietminh League helped many Frenchmen to cross the frontier,
rescued some of them from Japanese jails, and protected French lives and
property.
>From the autumn of 1940, our country had, in fact, ceased to be a French
colony and had become a Japanese possession.
After the Japanese had surrendered to the Allies, our whole people rose to
regain our national sovereignty and to found the Democratic Republic of
Vietnam.
The truth is that we have wrested our independence from the Japanese and not
from the French.
The French have fled, the Japanese have capitulated, Emperor Bao Dai has
abdicated. Our people have broken the chains which for nearly a century have
fettered them and have won independence for the Fatherland. Our people at
the same time have overthrown the monarchic regime that has reigned supreme
for dozens of centuries. In its place has been established the present
Democratic Republic.
For these reasons, we, members of the Provisional Government, representing
the whole Vietnamese people, declare that from now on we break off all
relations of a colonial character with France; we repeal all the
international obligation that France has so far subscribed to on behalf of
Vietnam and we abolish all the special rights the French have unlawfully
acquired in our Fatherland.
The whole Vietnamese people, animated by a common purpose, are determined to
fight to the bitter end against any attempt by the French colonialists to
reconquer their country.
We are convinced that the Allied nations which at Tehran and San Francisco
have acknowledged the principles of self-determination and equality of
nations, will not refuse to acknowledge the independence of Vietnam.
A people who have courageously opposed French domination for more than
eighty years, a people who have fought side by side with the Allies against
the fascists during these last years, such a people must be free and
independent.
For these reasons, we, members of the Provisional Government of the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam, solemnly declare to the world that Vietnam
has the right to be a free and independent country and in fact it is so
already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilise all their
physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property in order
to safeguard their independence and liberty.
****
A high-level delegation of the Communist Party, the State, the National
Assembly, the government and the Fatherland Front of Vietnam, paid a floral
tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on August 31.
The homage was made on the occasion of the August Revolution anniversary
(August 19) and the National Day (September 2).
The delegation included Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State
President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, National Assembly
Chairman Nguyen Van An, and President of the Presidium of the Vietnam
Fatherland Front Central Committee Pham The Duyet.
The leaders also laid a wreath at the Monument to Fallen Combatants at Ba
Dinh Square.
The same day, delegations from Hanoi, the Ministry of Defence, and the
Ministry of Public Security as well as the diplomatic corps in Hanoi also
paid tribute to the late president. (VNA)
****
Top leaders attend National Day meeting
A grand meeting was held in Hanoi on August 31 to mark the country's
National Day, September 2.
It was attended by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong
Duc Manh, State President Tran Duc Luong, Chairman of the National Assembly
Nguyen Van An, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
Hanoi Mayor Hoang Van Nghien recalled the historic moment when President Ho
Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, giving
birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Hanoi was also the place where the August Revolution was crowned with
success on August 19, 1945.
Upholding its glorious tradition, Hanoi has overcome numerous difficulties
in the renovation process to achieve a higher-than-national average economic
growth rate, Mr Nghien said.
Hanoi recorded a gross domestic product growth of 9.6% in the first months
of this year as against the national average of 7.1%. Its industrial
production value rose by 6.7%, and import-export turnover increased by 9.8%.
(VNA)
****
President congratulates teachers and students
President Tran Duc Luong sent a letter to congratulate teachers, pupils and
students across the country on the new academic year and the 'Whole People
Bring Children to School Day' on September 1.
The letter says: 'On the new academic year 2001-2002 and the 'Whole People
Bring Children to School Day,' I would like to convey my congratulations to
the teaching staff of the education and training sector and pupils and
students nationwide.
I hoped that all teachers will boost the 'Good Teaching, Good Studying'
emulation movement, renovate the teaching method toward a way to promote the
self-learning capacity and creativity of pupils and students in order to
make a big change in quality in all subjects and levels.
I would like to wish that all pupils and students throughout the country
will make greater efforts in learning, combine study and practice and
scientific research, improve morality, political quality and have a healthy
lifestyle and exercise physical fitness for comprehensive development.
I wish all teachers and students to record greater achievements in the new
school year."
****
Precious wood, stone presented for
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Binh Dinh southern province, Gia Lai, Kon Tum Central Highland province
presented precious wood and stone to maintain President Ho Chi Minh's
Mausoleum in Hanoi on August 31.
This is on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the August Revolution and
National Day.
Representatives of the three provinces expressed their deep gratitude to the
Party and Uncle Ho and promised that they would successfully realise the
Resolution of the Ninth Party Congress.
Prominent among those at the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister and
Politburo member Nguyen Tan Dung.
****
PM gives National Day reception
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai gave a reception for the diplomatic corps in
Hanoi on August 31 on the occasion of Vietnam's 56th National Day (September
2).
Ambassadors, Charge d'Affaires of foreign countries and representatives of
international organisations in Hanoi attended the event.
Speaking at the reception, Prime Minister Khai recalled great achievements
of the Vietnamese people in their past struggle for national independence
and praised their present achievements in national defence, construction,
and the renovation. He went on to say that the Vietnamese people have
received valuable support and assistance from friends on all continents, and
that they are always grateful to international friends for their
encouragement and effective support to Vietnam's revolutionary cause and
national development.
Mr Khai asserted that Vietnam always wants to develop friendly and
co-operative relations on the basis of mutual benefit with other countries
and international organisations in the spirit of "Vietnam is ready to be a
reliable friend and partner in the international community, together
striving for peace, independence, and development".
The prime minister expressed thanks on behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State
and people to ambassadors, charge d'affaires of foreign countries, and chief
representatives of international organisations for their good will and
active contributions to strengthening Vietnam's friendship and co-operation
with other countries and international organisations. He said he hoped that
they will continue to foster the fine relationship between Vietnam and their
countries and organisations.
Mr Said Khalil Al-Masri, ambassador of Palestine and head of the diplomatic
corps in Hanoi, warmly greeted the Communist Party of Vietnam, the
government, and the people of Vietnam on the 56th National Day. He expressed
his profound admiration for the great achievements of Vietnam in the
renovation process and national construction towards the goal of a
prosperous people, a strong country, and a just, democratic, and civilised
society.
Ambassador S K Al-Masri said that he would do his best to continue
consolidating, promoting, and developing the friendship and comprehensive
co-operation with Vietnam.
The host and guests toasted the health of the Vietnamese leaders and wished
them every success in their efforts to lead Vietnam to even greater
achievements in its process of renovation, industrialisation, and
modernisation. (VNA)
****
Fatherland Front delegation visits Thai Binh, Nam Dinh
A delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front led by its president Pham The
Duyet, visited and presented gifts to Heroic Mothers, the families of war
invalids and fallen combatants in Thai Binh and Nam Dinh province on August
29-30.
The delegation came to Hanh Thien village, Xuan Hong commune, Xuan Truong
district, Nam Dinh province, the homeland of ex-Party General Secretary
Truong Chinh to burn incense sticks for him on the occasion of the national
holidays.
The delegation also called at Thai Binh bishop's office, Vong Cung pagoda in
Nam Dinh and the bishop�s office of Bui Chu, Nam Dinh.
****
Flood control in Mekong delta provinces
The upstream water levels of the Tien and Hau rivers are rising slowly,
according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecast Centre.
The water level of the Tien tributary in Tan Chau was measured at 4.62
metres; that of the Hau tributary in Chau Doc, 4.3 metres and that of Vinh
Te canal in Xuan To, 4.16 metres high, equal to or even higher than the
levels in 1978 and 2000, but lower than the peak record level in 2000 by
about 0.4-0.6 metres.
As a result, 505 classrooms and nearly 30,000 houses have been submerged
under water as of August 30, reported Mekong delta provinces. The provinces
have evacuated 10,000 households to safe places and they will evacuate
11,000 more households in coming days.
Besides, the provinces� armed forces have helped people control floods and
overcome consequences to stabilise their lives soon.
* 1,500 soldiers of Military Zone 9 have evacuated 200 flooded houses to
safe places and border posts 937, 929 and 941 have saved 16 farmers from
drowning in An Giang province.
* The Vietnam Red Cross Society Central Committee has granted Phu Tho and
Lam Dong VND 10 million each and Dak Lak, VND 15 million to help people in
flooded areas.
****
Public security minister thanks village elders
Politburo member and Public Security Minister Le Minh Huong thanked
revolutionary families and village elders from north-west and northernmost
mountainous areas.
This is for their contributions to the country's revolution in general and
to the public security forces in particular during the past two resistance
wars for national independence and freedom and the present national
construction.
Mr Huong was speaking at a meeting in Hanoi on August 31 with 201 delegates
of revolutionary families and village elders from 10 northern mountainous
provinces.
****
Chairman Li Peng to visit Vietnam
Li Peng, member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist
Party of China, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National
People's Congress and his wife, will pay an official friendship visit to
Vietnam next week.
The September 7-10 visit is to be made at the invitation of the Communist
Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Standing Committee of Vietnam's
National Assembly. (VNA)
****
Deputy PM receives UK lord, RoK trade delegation
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam received in Hanoi on the afternoon of
August 31, Lord Charles Powell of Great Britain and President of the
Republic of Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Jae Chul Kim, on
separate occasions.
Mr Cam informed Lord Powell of Vietnam's external policy of
multi-lateralisation and diversification and said Vietnam attaches
importance to its co-operation with developed countries, particularly the
UK.
He expressed his pleasure at the fast development of trade and investment
co-operation between Vietnam and the UK over recent years and his hope for
the UK's continued co-operation with and assistance to Vietnam in its
regional and world integration.
Lord Powell, former advisor to the British prime minister on security and
external relations, said that UK-Vietnam relations are based on the
principle of long-term co-operation between the two nations for mutual
benefit. He expressed his desire to explore Vietnam's international
integration process as well as its relations with other countries in the
region and the world.
While speaking to KITA President Jae Chul Kim, who is economic advisor to
the RoK president, Deputy Prime Minister Cam hailed the KITA delegation's
visit, saying that it showed the RoK government and business community's
desire to promote trade and economic exchange between the two nations.
Mr Cam affirmed that the Vietnamese government always attaches importance to
developing trade and investment co-operation with the RoK.
Jae Chul Kim said that the delegation's visit aimed to help both countries'
enterprises expand their investment and trade relations, thus contributing
to increasing the two countries' two-way trade.
He said he hoped that the visit would contribute to promoting co-operation
between the KITA and the Trade Promotion Department of Vietnam's Trade
Ministry.
Both the host and guest discussed issues relating to co-operation in trade,
economics, and personnel training - particularly the application of
information technology and digital technology. (VNA)
****
Slovak Foreign Minister ends visit
Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan and his entourage left Hanoi on August
31, concluding a four-day official visit to Vietnam.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Kukan was received by State President
Tran Duc Luong and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem. He held talks with
Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien and had working sessions with Trade Minister
Vu Khoan and Deputy Minister of Public Health Le Ngoc Trong.
At the meetings, the two sides discussed measures to further develop the two
countries' friendship and comprehensive co-operation in the new stage,
especially in the areas of economics and commerce. They also exchanged views
on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Before leaving Vietnam, Foreign Minister Kukan and his delegation visited Ho
Chi Minh City and met with Vietnamese people who had studied in Slovakia.
(VNA)
****
National Day celebrated abroad
Diplomatic and cultural activities were held in many countries on August 30
to mark Vietnam's 56th National Day (September 2).
In Laos, Vietnamese Ambassador Huynh Anh Dung hosted a party to celebrate
the event in the presence of Bouasone Bouphavanh, Politburo standing member
of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and chief
of its office, and other senior officials of Laos.
Vietnamese Politburo member and secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City's Party
Committee Nguyen Minh Triet, who is in Laos for a visit, was also present at
the function.
In China, the China-Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFA) and the Chinese
People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a
party on the occasion of the 56th National Day of Vietnam.
Vietnamese Ambassador to China Bui Hong Phuc, CVFA Chairman Zhao Dong Yuan
and CPAFFC Vice-Chairman Chen Yong Chang and representatives of Chinese
foreign ministry were on hand.
Meanwhile, during a meeting held in New Delhi by the India-Vietnam
Friendship Association (IVFA), Politburo member of the Communist Party of
India (CPI) and IVFA Vice-President D Ragia spoke highly of Vietnam's
struggle for national construction and defence as well as its achievements
in the on-going renovation process.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng wished the Vietnamese people still
greater achievements in their national construction and defence. He
expressed his wish at the August 30 reception, hosted by Vietnamese
Ambassador Nguyen Duy Hung on the occasion of Vietnam's 56th National Day.
Other cultural activities were also held in Chile and Hong Kong to mark the
event. (VNA)
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