Vietnam News Nov 29
VNA NA approves Vietnam-US trade agreement Vietnam's National Assembly on Wednesday, November 28, passed a resolution ratifying the Vietnam-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The resolution won 278 votes in favour, representing 64.3% of total NA deputies, with 85 votes against (19.6%), and 17 abstentions (3.9%). Vietnam establishes its trade relations with the United States on the principles of respect for independence, sovereignty, non-intervention into each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits without enclosed conditions, states the resolution. It also states: The agreement meets the aspiration of two peoples, ushering in a new stage of bilateral relations. The approval of the agreement again affirms Vietnam's foreign policy of openness, multilateralisation, diversification, active integration, and its willingness for equal and mutually-beneficial co-operation with all nations for peace and development. The resolution also points to what actions should be taken by the National Assembly, the government, legislative agencies, entrepreneurs and the Vietnamese people in a bid to quickly adapt to the agreement, implement it in the most effective way, and be actively involved in the world economic market. The NA deputies, in the morning of November 28, under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Chairman Mai Thuc Lan, continued to discuss the implementation of socio-economic tasks and the State budget in 2001; the orientations, tasks and estimated budget for 2002; the general balance of the State budget in 2000 and the five-year 2001-2005 socio-economic development plan. (VNA) Trade agreement will benefit both countries: trade minister The Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement will bring benefits to both countries, thus contributing to developing relations between the US and ASEAN and APEC member countries, countries in the Asian-Pacific region, and the world. Trade Minister Vu Khoan made this statement at a press conference held in Hanoi on the afternoon of November 28, by the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations and the Trade Ministry. The briefing was conducted immediately after the Vietnamese National Assembly's approval of a resolution ratifying the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Minister Khoan said that the agreement would benefit both countries as long as principles of respect for national independence, sovereignty, non-intervention into internal affairs, and the separation of commercial from political issues are upheld. Chairman of the National Assembly's External Relations Committee Do Van Tai, who co-sponsored the press conference, said that immediately after the Vietnam-US BTA was passed, it drew keen interest and attention from the Vietnamese people and business community, who wished for early approval of the agreement. Over the past several months, Vietnam's National Assembly and government have worked together to prepare for approval by the National Assembly, Mr Tai said. He added that the passing of a resolution to ratify the agreement by the National Assembly reflected the Vietnamese people's attitude towards the Vietnam-US trade agreement. Enforcement of the agreement will meet the aspirations of both nations, helping to strengthen Vietnam-US friendship and open up prospects for developing future trade co-operation between the two countries. Minister Khoan and Chairman Tai answered questions from local reporters and foreign correspondents on the prospect of trade development between the two countries, the immediate actions of the Vietnamese government once the BTA becomes effective, the normalisation of the two countries' relations, and advantages that Vietnam will enjoy from the ratified BTA in the context of negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation. Discussing the government's first steps following the ratification of the BTA, Minister Khoan said the National Assembly had instructed the government to spread the agreement to businesses and people nationwide; to map out a programme to adjust legal documents serving the implementation of the BTA; to garner information on related laws to present to local businesses; and to implement plans to increase the competitiveness of locally-made goods and enhance human resources training. All these steps are intended to successfully implement the agreement, the minister said. The Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a Vietnamese government delegation and about 100 business people to visit the United States and explore the US market and business opportunities. Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US will likely surge after the BTA takes effect and Vietnam's textile and garment exports will enjoy US most favoured nation status (MFN), Mr Khoan told reporters. However, he pointed out, some National Assembly deputies have voiced their concern over the erroneous actions taken by the US House of Representatives in the period leading up to Vietnam's
Vietnam News Nov 29
Party. Vietnam Civil Aviation General Secretary Le Kha Phieu recognised the efforts of the Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration in his speech at the sector's Party congress. He said this achievements contributed greatly to the development of the country and reaffirmed that the sector must be a leading sector in the national economy. He urged the staff of the sector to study and apply latest technological and scientific solutions to move the sector forward, especially the application of electronic technology and software. On building of the Party, the General Secretary urged the staff of the administration to maintain internal unity and solidarity and exercise democracy in all Party affairs since unity and solidarity are vital to the power of the Party. Mr Nguyen Tien Sam, secretary of the Party committee and general director of the administration read the political report. This stated that the administration was formed and developed from the operations of the aviation transport, the airport and the flight control. The leadership of the administration over the past three years directed the development of these operations. To date, the network of the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has 19 domestic routes and 25 international routes to countries in Asia, Europe and Australia. Vietnam AirlinesÂ’ passenger carriage in 1999 is 5.6% higher than 1998 figure with international passengers up 10%. In the first nine months of 2000, passenger transport is 12.5 % higher than 1999 figures. Other services were also increased. It is expected that the administration will carry six million passengers and 200,000 tonnes of cargo in this year. The flight control section of the administration was successful in providing safe control and of flights in FIR in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and earned a lot of money for the State budget. The sector was recognised Labour Hero by the State for its efforts. The report also said that, in the coming time, the administration would try its best to build a strong staff to meet the increasing requirements of the sector in the 21st century. NA passes draft State budget National Assembly deputies approved a Resolution on the draft State budget 2001 and another Resolution on the State budget balance last year in the plenary meeting chaired by NA Vice Chairman Mai Thuc Lan on November 28. Earlier in the morning, deputies continued their discussions on work reports by the People's Supreme Court and the People's Supreme Procuracy, the implementation of law cases and the management of the local courts on the organisation and the enforcement of Law on Complaints and Denunciation. Twelve deputies from eleven provinces and cities took the floor, focusing their opinions on the situation of complaints and denunciations of citizens this year; achievements and shortcomings of relevant agencies in settling complaints and denunciations; the reasons and effective measures for the settlement of citizens' complaints and denunciations in the coming time. They also voiced their ideas on the situation and the results of the fight against crimes this year, reasons and solutions for the issue. Strong points, weak points and shortcomings of judicial activities in 2000, reasons and solutions for the problem were also posed by the deputies in the plenum. Several deputies put forth issues relating to the implementation of democratic regulation at the grassroots level and the settlement of administrative violations. The NA is to hear the explanations to the questions raised by NA deputies today. Efforts to overcome flood aftermath, start winter-spring crop Efforts are continuing to overcome the flood aftermath in affected areas. Naval units garrisoned in Cam Ranh town, Khanh Hoa central province such as Navy Force M26 corps and the Navy Force Zone 4 are continuing their efforts to help local people overcome the flood consequences. The provincial Military Command has sent medical officers to some villages to spray chemicals to clean the environment, sterilise 50 wells and provide free medical check-ups and medicines worth over VND 6 million to more than 500 people. The provincial Fisheries Department has sent technical cadres to localities to instruct shrimp breeding farmers on measures to restore damaged shrimp ponds. The province has also helped each household whose member was killed in the flood with VND 1 million; those whose house was destroyed with VND 1 million and those whose house was damaged with VND 500,000. The recent flooding that hit Dong Thap has contributed to the increase of poor households in this southern province. Local leaders have asked districts and towns to define the exact poor households so as to grant waiving of schooling fee in the 2000-2001 school year for children of these families. Fifty two working groups including 208 doctors and physicians of the Military Zone 9 with medicine worth VND 170 million have arrived in remote and submerged villages in
