VNA
Party leader contributes to fund for poor and flood victims Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and other Party and Fatherland Front leaders contributed to the Fund for the Poor at a ceremony held in Hanoi on October 17 to launch a fund-raising drive to support the poor and flood victims in the Mekong Delta. The fund-raising drive is being led by Party leaders and the trade union of the Party Central Committee's office. The drive is in response to the 'Day for the Poor.' Present at the launching ceremony were Do Muoi, former advisor to the Party Central Committee; Pham The Duyet, president of the Fatherland Front Central Committee Presidium; Phan Dien, Politburo member and secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Tong Thi Phong, secretary of the Party Central Committee. Senior officials and staff of the Party Central Committee Office have made contributions to the fund for the poor and flood victims in the Mekong delta. The same day, the Fisheries Ministry and its trade union organisation jointly launched a 'Day for the Poor' to help flood victims in the Mekong delta. At the ceremony, the vice president of the fisheries sector trade union called on all officials and workers of the sector to initiate practical activities to support flood victims and poor people. First of all, each official and worker will contribute at least two working days' salary to the fund. A movement for mutual assistance in production and overcoming difficulties will be carried out among labourers, farmers, and fishermen. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ US President ratifies Bilateral Trade Agreement President George Bush of the United States on October 17 ratified the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between Vietnam and the US, according to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in New York. The source said the signing took place just before the president headed for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum Summit in Shanghai, China. The BTA will come into force once it is approved by the National Assembly and ratified by President Tran Duc Luong of Vietnam. The enactment of the agreement will complete the normalisation of relations between Vietnam and the US. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Defence minister meets RoK war veterans Senior Lieutenant General Pham Van Tra, defence minister, received in Hanoi on October 17, a delegation of the War Veterans' Association of the Republic of Korea led by its president, General Lee Sang Hoon. The RoK delegation has been here for a five-day friendship visit to Vietnam since October 16. Minister Tra wished the delegation success in its visit, thus contributing to strengthening the friendly and co-operative relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea. Lieutenant General Vu Xuan Vinh, vice president of the Vietnam War Veterans' Association; Major General Vu Tan, director of the External Relations Department of the Defence Ministry; and RoK ambassador to Vietnam, Paik Nak Whan, were present at the reception. Earlier in the morning, a delegation of the Vietnam War Veterans' Association led by its president, Senior Lieutenant General Tran Van Quang, held a working session with the RoK war veterans delegation. Senior Lieutenant General Quang welcomed General Lee Sang Hoon and his entourage on their Vietnam visit, saying it not only lays the foundation for relations between the two associations but also contributes to the development of the Vietnam-RoK co-operative ties. General Quang said he hoped that following the visit, the two associations would strengthen the exchange of information, experiences, mutual visits, and study tours. He also expressed his hope that the two associations would closely co-operate under the framework of the World Federation of War Veterans and the Asia-Pacific Standing Committee, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. General Lee Sang Hoon expressed his association's eagerness to help Vietnam overcome the consequences left by its many years of war, and his hope for further exchanges between the two associations in the coming period. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Trade minister speaks on results of PM's European tour There is every reason now to say that the recent tour of Spain, Germany and the Netherlands by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has been a success, said Trade Minister Vu Khoan. He further said that the tour succeeded, both bilaterally and multilaterally, laying the foundation for long-term co-operation and contributing to raising Vietnam's position in the international arena. Mr Khoan, who accompanied Mr Khai during his European tour from October 8-16, granted an interview to Nhan Dan newspaper's correspondent about the result and significance of the prime minister's visit. He said that the tour has considerably helped boost multi-faceted co-operation, particularly in economics and commerce, between Vietnam and the three countries. During the tour, Vietnam signed a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding, including a framework agreement on co-operation with Spain; a finance co-operation agreement and three others on railway, afforestation and integration of returnees worth US $90 million; and an agreement to double the Dutch government's ODA to US $24 million in 2003 from US $12 million last year and other projects on strengthening the management capacity of local authorities and on poverty reduction worth millions of US dollars. Vietnam has concluded an agreement with Spain and Germany to expand co-operation in tourism. These agreements manifested the three European nations' desire to expand co-operation with Vietnam. All the three countries have listed Vietnam as prioritised country to receive their official development assistance (ODA), Mr Khoan stressed. He added that Vietnam has received the three countries' support in boosting relationship with the European Union. This is an important event because the EU is a key trade partner of Vietnam and the two sides are going to hold new negotiations on trade relations. Moreover, the three countries have expressed their support for Vietnam's policies on economic integration and its joining the World Trade Organisation, Mr Khoan noted. He spoke of the tour's success, focusing on foreign countries' high appreciation of the renovation process and socio-political stability of Vietnam. The visit took place at a time when the Vietnamese people are striving to carry out the socio-economic development plan for 2001, the first year of the five-year plan passed by the Ninth Party Congress, which aims to promote efforts to expand and increase co-operation efficiency and actively integrate into the international economy. Furthermore, the three countries are located in typical regions of Europe, south-western, middle and northern Europe. Although having established relations with Vietnam at different levels, all the countries considered Vietnam as a key country in Asia to broaden co-operation with. However, Mr Khoan said, the visit's results have only created pre-conditions for boosting co-operation. He called for further efforts to fully tap the above-said advantages to improve Vietnam's position in a fiercely competitive world. The trade minister laid stress on the requirements of uniform and clear policies and mechanisms. He urged businesses to actively meet with European partners, particularly through trade and investment promotion organisations, diplomatic and commercial representative offices as well as Vietnamese communities in foreign countries, to increase understanding and the exchange of goods and investment co-operation, thus bringing benefits to themselves and the country. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vietnamese, Chinese foreign minister affirm co-operation in new situation Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien and his Chinese counterpart, Tang Jiaxuan, have affirmed that in the new situation Vietnam and China should strengthen solidarity, boost co-operation, and well implement agreements reached by leaders of the two countries. The two foreign ministers met in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday, October 16. They praised the fine development of the Sino-Vietnamese co-operation over the past time. They said, with joint efforts, the bilateral co-operation will be further boosted following the upcoming visit to China by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien arrived in Shanghai on October 16 to attend the 13th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) Ministerial Meeting on October 17 and 18 and the Ninth APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on October 20 and 21. The two foreign ministers held that the on-going complicated situation in the world has caused negative impacts upon the political and economic life in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam and China. They affirmed their close co-ordination in making this year's APEC meetings successful. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meetings held to mark Women's Union founding A meeting was held in Hanoi on October 17 to celebrate 71st founding anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) (October 20, 1930 - October 20, 2001). VWU vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Oanh delivered a speech, highlighting the glorious tradition of women of different generations. She said that all women, who are farmers, workers, scientists or managers, are labourers, believe in the renovation of the Party and the national industrialisation and modernisation. Vietnamese women would combine their efforts to successfully carry out the programme of action for the advancement of women, thus contributing to reaching the target of ' a rich people, a strong nation and a just, democratic and civilised society.' The Hanoi Women's Union held the 12th Hanoi Women's Congress during the 2001-2006 term on October 16 and 17 and received the Independence Order, second class, from the State on the occasion. Prominent among those attending the meeting were former Advisor to the Party Central Committee Do Muoi, Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, Politburo member and Hanoi Party Committee secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Party Central Committee member, VWU chairwoman Ha Thi Khiet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Flood claims lives of 26 children in Can Tho Twenty six children in southern Can Tho province have been killed by floods so far. The floods have also broken some sections of dykes in Khuong islet, threatening the orchards and rice fields. As many as 9,230 hectares of rice fields and 4,031 hectares of orchards have been seriously waterlogged. More than 15,000 houses were submerged deep under water. Of these, 313 houses were pulled down by the floods and bridges, roads and schools were also inundated. Total losses were estimated at some VND 114 billion. In Can Tho city, roads and streets are also flooded, causing many difficulties for the locals. The provincial authorities have launched a movement to collect relief aid for the flood victims. The aid has so far totalled to VND 653 million. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vietnam pledges to contribute more to UNESCO's activities Vietnam is willing to join other countries in contributing more to the action programmes of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem at the organisation's 31st session in Paris, France, on October 16. Extolling the organisation's important role in the world's tendency of co-operation for peace and sustainable development, Mr Khiem said Vietnam, with experiences gained through its participation in UNESCO's programmes, hopes to join efforts to realise the noble targets of the organisation. He said: "For such reasons, Vietnam wishes to stand for election to the Executive Council of the 31st General Assembly session and considers it a task and responsibility of a member to UNESCO's noble cause". The deputy prime minister affirmed that the co-operation between UNESCO and Vietnam in recent years has made progress as many UNESCO programmes in Vietnam have been carried out effectively. He suggested the organisation give more assistance to national UNESCO committees of developing countries, chiefly in training young workers, thus improving the efficiency of UNESCO's operation. He spoke of Vietnam's efforts in implementing commitments in a framework agreement on 2000-2003 co-operation and said he hoped UNESCO would continue to help Vietnam in preserving its tangible and intangible cultural heritage under the Law of Cultural Heritage passed by Vietnam's National Assembly in June, upholding the role of women and families in the programmes to alleviate poverty and solve other social problems. Regarding the medium-term 2002-2007 strategy of UNESCO, Deputy Prime Minister Khiem said poverty alleviation and use of scientific and technological advances in socio-economic development strategy were major issues for developing countries such as Vietnam and need the co-operation between UNESCO member countries. The deputy PM said that Vietnam supports the issuance of a statement on cultural diversity and on the respect of the basic principles of national independence, sovereignty and self-determination in solving political, economic, cultural and human rights problems and preventing the use or imposition of cultural values in any form as tools of political manoeuvres. He stressed that, in a world of increasing mutual-dependence, real co-operation should be based on equality, democracy and mutual respect of national sovereignty. Regarding the September 11 event in the US, he said: "Vietnam strongly opposes all international terrorist acts and supports efforts to rule out terrorism from human life, in conformity with international laws and the UN Charter. On the other hand, we are worried that the war in Afghanistan is threatening the lives of innocent civilians and hope that the concerned sides refrain from spreading the war and try to find suitable measures soon to end the war and restore peace." (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASEAN officials discuss health development The first meeting of senior health officials opened in Hanoi on October 17, in preparation for the ASEAN Health Ministers' Meeting scheduled to be held in Laos in February next year. Under Vietnam's initiative, the ASEAN Senior Health Officials Meeting (ASHOM) will be held annually from now on to discuss health-related issues in the region. Health Minister Do Nguyen Phuong delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting. He said: "In this meeting, we will discuss the progress of all programmes under the framework of ASEAN. Specially, I would like to propose the representatives of all member countries spend more time identifying the problems and difficulties encountered by the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Health and Nutrition in implementing its activities; and recommend strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Health and Nutrition, now it renamed as Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development, including the need for prioritising and consolidating its activities/projects and streamlining mechanisms for health co-operation; and all discussions and resolutions made in the Declaration of ASEAN Health Ministers held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 1998." Participants at the three-day ASHOM will review the results of co-operation among ASEAN member countries in fighting HIV/AIDS epidemic, controlling infectious diseases, food hygiene and nutrition, functional rehabilitation, and pharmaceuticals. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Days of Solidarity with Vietnam held in Switzerland Days of Solidarity with Vietnam have been held in Switzerland jointly by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Public Service Industry Trade Union Organisation of Ticino Canton. >From September 28-30, seminars on Vietnam's history, music performances, and shows of films on Vietnam were held. Vietnam's handicrafts and paintings by famous Vietnamese painters and Overseas Vietnamese were put on display. Vietnamese Charge d'Affaires Pham Van Duoc attended a talk on Vietnam on September 29. The organising board also took this occasion to introduce Vietnam's culinary programme to tens of thousands of Swiss people who attended these activities. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ US called to join Vietnam against terrorism Vietnam's foreign ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh on October 17 called on the United States and other countries to co-operate with Vietnam in the fight against terrorist attacks on Vietnam. The United States and other countries should be consistent in their fight against terrorism and help Vietnam to capture and punish those people who use terrorism to attack the State and people of Vietnam at home and at its representative missions overseas, Ms Thanh said. The spokeswoman made the comment when she was asked by Hanoi-based foreign correspondents about media reports that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had arrested Vo Van Duc, a member of the so-called 'Free Vietnam,' for his involvement in a recent abortive bomb attack on Vietnam's Embassy in Bangkok. Nguyen Huu Chanh and his accomplices in the so-called 'Free Vietnam' organisation that has its headquarter in the United States have on numerous occasions, organised bomb attacks in Vietnam and against its representative missions overseas, she said. Ms Thanh also recalled that Vietnam had received help and co-operation from some countries, especially those in the region, in preventing and foiling the attempts of Chanh and his men. "However," she stressed, "Chanh and his accomplices have never abandoned their plan of terror against Vietnam." "The US Embassy in Hanoi has provided Vietnam with information from the Internet and pledged to check it again with official information in the near future," Ms Thanh added. She pointed out that Vietnam had asked the United States not to shelter, sponsor, or support but rather to strongly punish all those who attempt to launch terrorist attacks against Vietnam such as Ly Tong, Nguyen Huu Chanh, and their accomplices. "The United States has pledged to co-operate with Vietnam. We hope that the US will do it," Ms Phan Thuy Thanh said. (VNA) _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
