VNA
A diplomat should be a good businessman: Party leader Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has urged Vietnamese diplomats to try harder to fulfil their diplomatic and economic duties. Addressing the 23rd annual meeting of the Foreign Ministry in Hanoi on December 12, the Party leader stressed that, in the current situation, each Vietnamese diplomat must also be a good businessman. Mr Manh praised the endeavours and contributions of Vietnamese diplomats in national development, describing them as contributing to raising Vietnam's role and prestige in the world. He asked the diplomats to creatively implement the Resolution of the Ninth National Party Congress with high efficiency in external activities. The Party leader spoke of the two strategic tasks of the entire Party and people at present, namely socio-economic development and Party building. He said the diplomatic workers must provide the Party and State with accurate information about all international developments in order to work out proper and effective foreign policies, bring about advantages for the renovation process and national development and defence, and contribute to regional and global peace and stability. The Party general secretary also spoke of the need for personnel training in the diplomatic service, saying that it is a long-term strategic task. He urged diplomats to constantly improve their knowledge, capability and ethics to fulfil their noble mission. (VNA) **** NA passes revised Constitution The National Assembly passed the full text of the draft resolution on the amendment of and supplement to several articles of the 1992 Constitution on December 12 with 89.8% votes in favour after two days of debate. Attracting the deputies' concern was a change of article 91 stipulating the declaration of war when the country is invaded. Deputies held that, when a war occurs, there is not enough time to wait for a decision from the NA's full session, so the declaration of war should be assigned to the NA's Standing Committee. After much debate, the change is changed as follow: "At the time when the NA cannot meet, the NA's Standing Committee will decide the declaration of war when the country is invaded and report to the NA for consideration at the next session." Deputies will discuss for approval of the draft Law on the NA's Organisation on December 13. **** President presents gift to Cambodian people President Tran Duc Luong has given 2,000 tonnes of rice and 2,000 metres of cloth as a gift to King Norodom Sihanouk for the Cambodian people. A document for the gift was signed in Hanoi on December 12 by Director of the National Reserve Department Ngo Xuan Hue and Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Var Sim Samreth. The gift will be sent from Da Nang central port and is planned to arrive in Cambodia before January 5 of 2002. (VNA) **** Prime minister congratulates hero company Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on December 11 sent a letter of congratulations to Company 20 of the Ministry of Defence�s General Department of Logistics on the occasion of its being awarded the second Labour Hero title for the second time. "During the country�s renovation process, the company�s staff have made great achievements, becoming an outstanding unit of the army in production and business efficiency, successfully fulfilling its responsibility of providing military equipment to the army and contributing to national prosperity, deserving the second Labour Hero title presented by the Party and State," the letter writes. The company received the first Labour Hero title from the Party and State in 1989 for its great achievements recorded during the anti-US war for national salvation, making a considerable contribution to national victories. The prime minister, on behalf of the government, warmly praised the staff of the company for their achievements in the past years and wished the company greater achievements in the years to come. **** Donors' meeting a brilliant success: FM spokeswoman Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh yesterday hailed last week's Consultative Group Meeting, saying it was "crowned with brilliant success." The meeting concluded with international donor commitments worth US $2.356 billion for next year, she told a Vietnam News Agency correspondent. The event, held in Hanoi on December 7 and 8, brought together 190 international delegates representing 25 Consultative Group member nations, six international and four non-government organisations, and nine observer countries. The donors shared the view that Vietnam had attained encouraging progress this year, despite many difficulties and complications in economic development. Its achievements comprised a fairly high economic growth rate, higher than expected revenue, fiscal restraint, a relatively stable exchange rate, foreign debts under control and a continued reduction of poverty. "The conference attributed this success to the country's ongoing renovation policy, with correct policies and orientations supported by the people," Ms Thanh said. The participants said Vietnam's environment for production, business and investment activities had improved markedly, something that was reflected in the successful organisation of the Enterprise Forum on December 3. So far this year, 65% of petitions and complaints lodged by domestic and foreign enterprises have been handled - up from last year's figure of just 17%. Participants said Vietnam's fight against hunger and poverty was a good model for other developing nations, and lauded the government's 10-year master plan for administrative reform in seven priority areas. The donors pledge continued support for the country's efforts. Although many of the donor nations are themselves beset with economic difficulties, they still promised $2.356 billion - basically in line with 2000's pledge. Many countries and international organisations vowed to retain or even heighten the level of their aid. These include Japan and some other Asian nations, the European Union and some of its member countries, Australia, New Zealand, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and some United Nations agencies. "We greatly appreciate the precious assistance of all nations, international and non-government organisations to Vietnam and promise to make the best use of those funds for national construction and development, Ms Thanh said. (VNS) **** Another national park named Phong Nha-Ke Bang Nature Reserve in Bo Trach, Quang Binh will become the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, according to a government prime minister�s decision on December 12. The park, covers an area of 85,754 hectares belonging to Tan Trach, Thuong Trach, Phuc Trach, Xuan Trach and Son Trach communes. It consists of three sections: a strict protection section, an ecological restoration section and a service and administrative management section. The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is responsible for the protection of forest resources, ecological systems and typical plants and animals in the central region. At the same time, the park will also exploit its advantages in tourism to expand eco-tourism and help locals in socio-economic development and environmental protection. Quang Binh province will be responsible for the management of the park. **** Lai Chau ethnic people pledge to strengthen national unity People of ethnic minority group of Lai Chau northern mountainous province have pledged to promote the tradition of unity among nationalities during a get-together recently held for villages' elders and chiefs in Dien Bien Phu town. During the meeting, ethnic minority people passed a five-point commitment, including to promote the tradition of unity among nationalities, help each other in production, trade and develop household economy, maintain and promote the national cultural identity, not to believe in and listen to the enemy, bring into full play the sovereignty of the people and positively respond to and implement social policies. Twelve leaders of the provincial Fatherland Front, villages' elder and heads raised their opinions, concerning the promotion of the tradition of unity and raising high the role of the village elders in a bid to build a richer and stronger Lai Chau province. Addressing the get-together, Party Central Committee member and provincial Party Committee secretary Trinh Long Bien said he highly appreciated the role of villages' elders and chiefs in all social activities, particularly their role in the promotion of the tradition of unity and education for children to realise policies of the Party and State. On the occasion, 21 outstanding ethnic people have been presented 'For the Mass Mobilisation Cause' medals. A total of 184 villages' elder and heads representing 21 ethnic minority groups of the province attended the get-together. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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