THÔNG CÁO BÁO CHÍ P R E S S R E L E A S E

VỤ THÔNG TIN BÁO CHÍ, BỘ NGOẠI GIAO NƯỚC CHXHCN VIỆT NAM

Press & Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of SR of Vietnam

7 Chu Văn An - Hà Nội, Điện thoại: 199 2516, Fax: 823 4137

No: 19/TCBC-NGĐ                                                                    Date: September 30^th , 2005

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I- MAIN DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITIES IN THE 2^nd HALF OF SEPTEMBER 2005 (In chronological order)

OUTWARD VISITS

From 18^th –20^th September 2005, Vietnamese Education and Training Minister Nguyen Minh Hien paid a working visit to Indonesia.

From 18^th-23^rd September 2005, a Vietnamese delegation led by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An attended the 26^th General Assembly ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Organization (AIPO-26) held in Vientiane, Lao DPR.

From 25^th September 2005, a delegation from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs led by Minister Nguyen Thi Hang is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Arab Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar.

From 25^th-27^th September 2005, at the invitation of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister Nguyen Phu Binh paid a visit to China for an annual session of opinion exchanges at the deputy ministerial level between Vietnam and China.

From 28^th –29^th September 2005, at the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid a working visit to Cambodia.

From 28^th -30^th September 2005, a Vietnamese delegation led by Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Cooperation Sub-committee, attended the 23^rd session of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Vietnam- Cuba Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, held in Havana, Cuba.

On 28^th September 2005, a Vietnamese delegation led by Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen attended the 37^th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane, Lao DPR.

INWARD VISITS

From 19^th-20^th September 2005, ASEAN law delegations led by the Chief delegates arrived in Vietnam to attend the 6^th ASEAN Law Ministerial Meeting held in Hanoi. The Ministers and Chief delegates included:

-Hon. Dato Seri Paduka Haji Kifrawi Bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli, Attorney General of Brunei Darussalam,

-H.E. Mr. Y Dan, First Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Cambodia,

-H.E. Dr. Hamid Awaludin, Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia,

-H.E. Mr. Kham Ouane Boupha, Minister, Ministry of Justice of Lao PDR,

-H.E. Dato’ Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia,

-H.E. Dr. Tun Shin, Deputy Attorney-General of the Union of Myanmar,

-H.E. Mr. Ramon J. Liwag, Undersecretary, Department of Justice of the Republic of the Philippines,

-H.E. Prof. Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, and

-H.E. Pol. Gen. Dr. Chidchai Vanasatidya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Thailand.

From 21^st- 23^rd September 2005, a Cambodian Public Works and Transport delegation led by Minister Sun Chanthol paid a working visit to Vietnam.

On 24^th September 2005, a delegation from the Border Committee of the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia led by Senior Minister in charge of Border Affairs Var Kim Hong paid a working visit to Vietnam.

On 27^th September 2005, an Austrian Education, Culture and Science delegation led by Minister Elisabeth Gehrer paid a working visit to Vietnam.

On 27^th September 2005, ASEAN Communications and Information Technology delegations led by the Chief delegates arrived in Vietnam to attend the 5^th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN 5) held in Hanoi. The Ministers, Chief delegates included:

-H. E. Pehin Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Communications, Brunei Darussalam;

-H. E. Mr. Lar Narath, Secretary of State, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Cambodia;

- H.E. Dr. Ashwin Sasongko, Vice Minister of Communications and Information

Technology, Indonesia;

- H.E. Mr.Khamlouat Sidlakone, Vice-Minister for Communication, Transport, Post and Construction, Lao PDR;

- H.E. Dato’ Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, Minister of Energy, Water and Communications, Malaysia;

- H.E. U Aung Myint, Deputy Minister & Vice-Chairman, e-National Task Force,

Myanmar;

- H.E. Mr. Virgilio L. Peña, Chairman, Commission on Information and Communications Technology, Philippines;

- H.E. Dr.Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications & the Arts and Health, Singapore;

- H.E. Mr. Sora-at Klinpratoom, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Thailand;

II- ANSWERS BY FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN LE DZUNG TO QUESTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENTS (in chronological order)

On 16^th September 2005,

AFP: Please advise Vietnam’s reaction to the adopting of the recent UN Reform Plan in New York?

Answer:

Vietnam welcomes the draft paper on the reform of the United Nations endorsed recently in New York.

In our view, the United Nations, after its 60 years of development, needs reforming to adapt to changes of the current world situation. In its activities, the United Nations should strictly and consistently adhere to principles of the United Nations Charter such as equality, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference into internal affairs with a view to enhancing the United Nations’ role, prestige, efficiency and capacity in coping with new challenges, maintaining world peace and security, promoting common development of its member countries and contributing to achieving the millennium development goals.

On 21^st September 2005,

AFP: Please advise Vietnam's reaction to the decision of President George Bush to remove Vietnam from the US list of major illicit drug-producing and drug-transit countries?

Answer:

Fully aware of the grave danger of narcotics, the Government and people of Vietnam have given special attention to combating drug trafficking and illegal use of narcotics. Implementing the Counter-Narcotics Law that came into effect from June 1st, 2001, the Government has set forth a Counter narcotics Plan of Action for 2001-2005. Numerous effective measures have been taken over the past years, including raising awareness through counter-narcotics education, conducting detoxification, combating drug-related crimes, eradicating opium cultivation by replacing it with substitute crops and implementing socio-economic development programs in these localities'.

Vietnam has actively co-operated with other countries and international organizations in the region and the world, joining the common efforts of the world community in the combat against illicit narcotics.

Vietnam and the United States signed a Letter of Agreement on Counter narcotics Cooperation in December 2003 and the current cooperation in this area continues undergoing fine developments. The U.S has supported Vietnam through projects designed to enhance capacity and experience in the combat against illicit narcotics. We welcome the removal of Vietnam from the U.S list of major illicit drug producing and drug-transit countries by President Bush. This testifies to the results of the enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

On 23^rd September 2005,

1. Reuters: Pls provide Vietnam's reaction to the statement made by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Marine at September 21 dinner of AMCHAM annual meeting that urged Vietnamese government to release a number of conscience?

Answer:

We have repeatedly stated that there is no prisoner of conscience in Vietnam. No one is detained for their political opinions or religious beliefs. Only those who violate the laws will be handled in line with the rules and laws of Vietnam.

Vietnam – US relations have undergone much positive progress. Despite differences in a number of issues, the two sides have agreed to discuss in a frank and open manner matters of mutual concern, including human rights, so as to narrow the differences and enhance mutual understanding.

2. Some journalists: Pls advise reaction of Vietnam to the result of fourth round of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula issue?

Answer:

Vietnam welcomes important outcomes of the fourth round of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and efforts made by the participants.

We hope that implementation of these agreements will bring about positive results contributing to satisfactory settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the maintenance of peace and stability in the Northeastern Asia and the world./.