Minister holds online communications Q&A

HA NOI — Minister of Information and Communications Le Doan Hop held an online Q&A session yesterday on strategies to develop information and communications.

He answered questions such as: What should the ministry do to develop information and communications into something that contributes largely to the country’s GDP, and to the formation and development of an intellectual economy?

Hop also talked about raising the quality and development of press and publishing, and about modernising organisations and infrastructure of these agencies.

The minister said that his five deputy ministers had recently organised five online Q&A sessions on topics related to the ministry’s State management aspects such as posts, telecommunications, information technology (IT), press and publishing.

He said that from now to 2010, the ministry had identified its primary aims and goals as follows:

– First, to build and complete a system of legal documents to boost the development of the information and communication sector while the country integrates into the world.

– Second, build and complete key programmes, plans and projects such as the National Programme on the Application and Development of Information Technology and Communications.

– Third, complete plans to renew and rearrange State-owned enterprises, to raise their capabilities to compete in and integrate into the world.

– Fourth, help localities solve difficulties, and help local departments of information and communications to consolidate their organisations.

– Fifth, actively integrate into the world following the Party and State’s policies and orientations.

Asked to speak briefly about the country’s first satellite, Vinasat 1, he said that it was being used for security and national defence, and would greatly benefit the public.

On internet management to prevent social evils from impacting adolescents, the minister said that his ministry had worked with the Ministry of Culture and Information to issue a Joint Circular on the Management of Online Games, asking game suppliers to limit gamers, especially children, from playing too much and spending too much time in internet stores.

Many people also asked Hop why the country’s electronics industry had remained weak compared to other countries in the region.

Hop said the ministry had worked out many mechanisms and solutions to develop IT, including the electronics industry.

“The ministry will propose to the Government some projects to develop IT zones and some priority mechanisms to attract foreign enterprises. The ministry will propose to the Government a Decree on Investment in IT,” he said.

He said that the ministry had organised many conferences and seminars to study the difficulties that hardware and software companies faced so that it can improve legal frameworks in the area.

He said he believed that in the near future, IT in Viet Nam, including the electronics industry, would develop rapidly.

He admitted that the development of e-Government was still too slow compared to the demands of socio-economic development and administrative reform.

He said the ministry had proposed that the Government approve Decree No 64 on applying IT in State-owned offices, which would also identify the responsibilities of ministries, sectors and localities in applying IT for 2008.

Truong Quoc Phong from Quy Nhon City, in the central province of Binh Dinh, asked the minister why the application of IT in State management activities still faced roadblocks.

The minister answered by pointing out the reasons leading to the situation.

First, awareness on IT’s role and applying it to activities of State offices was still very limited.

Second, investments in the application of IT were not adequate.

Third, there were shortcomings in the regulations that managed investments in the application of IT.

And last, a shortage of human resources was still a problem in the application of information technology. —

PM urges all to help stabilise the economy

Ha Noi — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has advised Vietnamese officials to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s advice on practising thrift and administrative reform.

Dung also said that if each citizen practised thrift, there was no doubt they would also contribute to stabilising the economy.

The Prime Minister was speaking to participants at a two-day meeting on socio-economic development organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs here yesterday,

Dung said the campaign to follow President Ho’s words on being efficient was an opportunity for local leaders to update their information on Viet Nam and help them perform their duties more efficiently.

He said the Government’s efforts to curb inflation had been successful. The consumer price index (CPI) had slowed, while the financial and monetary market had basically been stabilised.

Even the securities market, which had been through many ups and downs, had shown signs of recovery.

“In the first six months of the year, our economic growth rate was 6.5 per cent and is forecast to continue to increase in the second half,” Dung told the meeting.

He said output of this year’s winter-spring rice harvest was aout 18 million tonnes, an increase of one tonne on the same period last year.

Dung said foreign direct investment (FDI) had increased rapidly and had reached the remarkable figure of US$45.2 billion so far this year.

In the same period, export turnover was nearly $36.9 billion, an increase of 37.7 per cent compared with the same period last year.

And, according to the Prime Minister, by applying resolute measures, the high import surplus has been checked initially.

“As a result, the CPI for July increased 1.13 per cent compared with that of June – the lowest since January,” Dung said.

“However, the country is faced with many difficulties. If each citizen practices thrift, there is no doubt they will contribute to stabilising the economy,” Dung added.

He asked all localities to continue implementing the Government’s eight measures to curb inflation.

Dung called on them to ensure capital for key projects, to monitor prices to avoid speculation and to step up activities against smuggling.

During the two-day training, scheduled to end today, participants are being informed about the implementation of policies to regulate the macro-economy, manage and develop the State budget, and ensure stable socio-economic development.

They will also be briefed on the advantages and challenges the country has faced since joining the World Trade Organisation nearly two years ago, on issues relating to the management of land, resources and the environment and on the management of economic security, anti-corruption measures and the maintenance of social order and security. —

Spread fuel price rumours, get fined

HCM CITY — Individuals and organisations who spread false news about fuel price hikes must be punished, senior officials from the Ministries of Finance and Industry and Trade said earlier this week.

These statements were made after rumours about another price hike raising gasoline from the current VND19,000 to VND26,000 per litre.

The false information drove thousands of motorists to filling stations to re-fuel for fear that prices would raise, causing chaos on Tuesday.

During a press meeting in Ha Noi on Tuesday afternoon, deputy minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha rejected the incorrect information, saying there are no plans for raising fuel prices.

Ha said the Finance Ministry will colaborate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to inspect filling stations to find the sources of the gossip.

“Those who spread rumours for their own benefits must receive sanctions, including business license withdrawals,” said Ha.

He said the Finance Ministry submitted a decree on sanctions against speculators to the Government at Monday’s meeting.

Another decree to include lawsuits against those spreading rumours that agitate the market will be submitted to the Government soon.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien said that news about a price jump at the pump was “groundless” as oil prices are declining on the world market.

In an official dispatch sent to the HCM City People’s Committee on Tuesday evening, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu asked city authorities to conduct investigations and discipline individuals and organisations behind fake information.

The HCM City Market Management Force inspected filling stations throughout the city on Tuesday afternoon.

Le Xuan Dai, deputy head of the HCM City Market Management Board, said no filling station was reported to sell fuel at higher prices or refusing to sell to customers. —

UN rep commends Iraq on progress

New York — The Vietnamese representative to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, has praised political and security achievements in Iraq.

Minh said they were reflected in the lowest levels of overall violence since March 2004 and the enhanced and independent capability of Iraqi security forces to maintain national security.

The ambassador also noted the recent participation of all political factions in the Cabinet and the promulgation of key legislation on justice, amnesty, provincial power and the national budget execution as well as intensive preparations for provincial elections in October.

The diplomat also praised Iraq ’s macro-economic record, a decrease in inflation, the improved investment environment and the gradual settlement of external debt burdens.

He added, however, that Iraq should continue working to overcome sectarian violence, poverty and hunger and the unresolved status of Kurds in Kirkuk.

He also spoke of the need for the adoption of laws on elections and oil, about the illicit use of weapons, organised crime and the need for disarmament.

He said Viet Nam firmly supported the Iraqi Government in its endeavour to promote reconciliation and reconstruction.

Ambassador Minh highlighted the role that UN agencies, neighbouring countries and the international community could play in Iraq ’s reconciliation, stabilisation and reconstruction.

He hailed the positive results of the Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm in May and the normalisation of bilateral relations between Iraq and neighbouring countries.

Ambassador Minh confirmed that Viet Nam supported the enhanced co-ordination of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN country team in Iraq. —

NZ defence chief visits to boost ties

HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem received yesterday New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Jeremiah Mateparae who is making an official visit to Viet Nam.

His visit aims to promote the friendly and co-operative relationship between the two countries’ military forces and people.

Lieutenant-General Mateparae said that he highly appreciated the important role of Viet Nam as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and its humane relief.

He also added that New Zealand was willing to share its experience in the UN’s peace-keeping force with Viet Nam.

Deputy PM Pham Gia Khiem praised the tight co-operation between the two countries in English education, military healthcare, terrorism prevention and participation in the UN’s peace-keeping force.

Khiem affirmed that this relationship would contribute to the two countries’ solidarity towards peace, co-operation and friendship. —

PM moves to help rice farmers

Unfulfilled promises on rice purchases leave farmers sitting on huge stockpiles of rice.

Farmers spread rice out to dry at Co Do Plantation in the southern city of Can Tho. There are now big stockpiles of rice throughout the country. — VNA/VNS Thanh Vu

HA NOI — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked ministries, Government departments, Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces and food corporations to buy more rice from farmers.

He has also urged them to make sure that farmers receive a profit of 40 per cent or more.

He chaired a Government meeting yesterdayon boosting purchases of summer-autumn rice from the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

Dung said that while there had been long cold spells and crop and animal epidemics, the Government had worked to control inflation, and guide agricultural production to improve farmers’ living standards and assure food security.

He said that with the success of the winter-spring 2007-08 bumper crops and high prices, farmers started working on this year’s summer-autumn harvest with peace of mind.

Dung said the Government had, since early this year, planned to export 4-4.5 million tonnes of rice. Thanks to the decision, rice export enterprises actively signed contracts to export 3.6 million tonnes of rice. But by the end of last month, the country had exported just 2.8 million tonnes of rice. Meanwhile, farmers continued to harvest, producing vast amounts of rice.

Dung pointed out that the Southern Food Corporation and the Northern Food Corporation did not actively buy rice from farmers, buying less than they signed for in rice export contracts.

He asked the rice export companies to accelerate their shipment to assure that in August and September they could ship all the rice they agreed to under contract (3.6 million tonnes) and quickly negotiate and sign new contracts to ensure that Government export targets would be reached.

He asked the two food corporations to buy around 500,000 tonnes of rice this month and ensure they have enough to export.

He asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to co-ordinate with the Viet Nam Food Association to supervise the purchase of rice.

The PM also asked the State Bank of Viet Nam not to apply export taxes to contracts for exports selling rice at FOB rates of less than $800 per tonne. —

VN praises ASEAN’s continuing regional role

Ha Noi — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem expressed their pride in Viet Nam’s contributions to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to mark the organisation’s 41st founding anniversary today.

In a speech broadcast on national television yesterday, PM Dung said that the achievements of ASEAN and its partners have laid an important foundation for the association to increase and intensify regional co-operation in the coming period as well as improve its role and prestige in the international arena.

“The leading important factor for ASEAN to continue to achieve successes in the new stage is that the association should promote concerted efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable and co-operative environment in the region on the basis of the goals and basic principles set by ASEAN in the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC) and the ASEAN Charter,” the PM said.

“Member countries should continue to do their utmost to strengthen the association’s unity, increase friendship and the sense of community, promote co-operation and solve all differences by peaceful measures.

“Meanwhile, ASEAN should continue to play a leading role in regional matters, actively accelerate the process of negotiation and co-operation in the region, create opportunities for external partners to take part in and contribute to handling challenges to peace, security and development in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.”

The PM suggested that ASEAN make further efforts to improve the quality of “unity in diversity” in the spirit of common objectives and basic principles such as “consensus” and “non-interference”.

“This requires each member country to make a strong political commitment to the ASEAN linkage process and the ASEAN family, further harmonising national interests with that of the whole ASEAN region for a common goal of the association,” the PM said.

He went on to say that ASEAN should accelerate the implementation of programmes of actions to build the ASEAN Community by taking specific measures and preparing appropriate resources.

“ASEAN should take practical measures to quickly narrow the existing development gap between its member countries, particularly between the old and new members, through the efficient implementation of the ASEAN Linkage Initiatives,” he said.

The Vietnamese Government leader also recommended that ASEAN member countries include their national development programmes into ASEAN connectivity programmes.

According to the PM, the impending task for the group is to quickly bring the ASEAN Charter to life.

“The charter will bring about a reform in the organisation-apparatus and mode of operation of the association, helping improve the quality and efficiency of co-operation between member countries,” he said.

“Viet Nam is an organic part of ASEAN and holds a sense of responsibility to the ASEAN Family. Southeast Asia and ASEAN are of strategic significance to Viet Nam as they directly relate to Viet Nam’s security and development. A tightly-linked and united ASEAN has an important international role and its position is completely in line with Viet Nam’s basic and long-term interests,” he said.

“Therefore, we always view ASEAN, in both multilateral and bilateral co-operation, as an important part of our foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, diversification and neighbourly friendship,” he said

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Khiem also reflected upon Viet Nam’s contributions to ASEAN in honour of the anniversary.

He wrote that Viet Nam was proud of its remarkable and impressive contributions to ASEAN co-operation and development orientation as well as the group’s major policies, in an article marking the anniversary. Khiem wrote Viet Nam’s efforts had helped encourage solidarity and co-operation as well as increase the association’s international prestige.

He added that other ASEAN members and outside partners have all recognised Viet Nam as an active member with its important contributions to the growth of the group.

“In return, Viet Nam has gained numerous fruitful and practical benefits from the country’s ASEAN experiences in favour of the goals for national security and development as well as increasing the country’s international prestige,” Khiem wrote.

He reiterated Viet Nam’s stand in favour of an ASEAN close alliance, solidarity and great unity with high international prestige.

He wrote the orientation of ASEAN development had met the major and long-term goals of Viet Nam, an integral part of Southeast Asia.

“ASEAN has always had an important position in Viet Nam’s external policy which calls for independence, self-determination, diversification and international and regional integration,” he wrote.

Khiem called for greater efforts in joining with other member countries to build an ASEAN Community by 2015 and making the ASEAN charter a reality.

“We should be more active, take initiative and bear greater responsibility in relations with ASEAN,” he wrote.

He urged participating agencies to further reform and renew their structure, working style and staff quality to increase the efficiency of co-operation within ASEAN.

Khiem emphasised the need to clearly identify responsibilities as well as foster close co-ordination among relevant ministries and agencies, especially the Foreign Ministry’s co-ordinating role, when participating in ASEAN operations.

Campaigns to raise public awareness on ASEAN and the country’s role were also of primary importance, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also called for immediate preparations for the country to be sworn into the ASEAN chairmanship by 2010, that would include the convention of the ASEAN Summit and numerous ministerial meetings.

ASEAN has been the leading factor in maintaining an environment of peace, security and co-operation in Southeast Asia and efficiently supporting security and development objectives of each member country as well as the whole association, Khiem stressed.

He attributed ASEAN’s successes over the past 41 years to the sharing of basic benefits as well as vision and strong political determination and tireless efforts by member countries.

“The fact shows that ASEAN is a regional co-operation organisation full of vitality and adaptable to changes in the world situation,” he noted.

According to the Deputy PM, despite many difficulties and challenges, ASEAN still eyes favourable premises to successfully implement its community building goal.

“That is the result of the regional co-operation over the past four decades and member countries’ common vision and strong political determination in line with the association’s sound decisions and road map,” he emphasised.

“The ASEAN Charter will bring in a remarkable change in the association’s organisational apparatus and mode of operation, helping improve the quality and effectiveness of ASEAN co-operation.”

“We have good reason to believe that ASEAN will achieve its great objectives set for the new stage of development,” Khiem said. —

VN, Chinese leaders affirm co-operation

Chinese President Hu Jintao receives President Nguyen Minh Triet at the People’s Great Hall in Beijing.— VNA/VNS Nguyen Khang

BEIJING — President Nguyen Minh Triet has emphasised the great significance of the Beijing Olympic Games and said he appreciated China’s preparation for the event, which kicks off tonight.

He wished China a successful Olympics that contributed to expand exchanges and friendship co-operation between nations around the world.

Triet arrived in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics and made the statement while meeting with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and President Hu Jintao and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Jia Qinglin, yesterday.

At the meeting, the two sides emphasised the traditional friendship relations between the two countries.

President Hu Jintao and Chairman Jia Qinglin thanked the leaders and people of Viet Nam for their support to Chinese people in the earthquake-hit province of Sichuan earlier this year.

The Chinese leaders said they appreciated Viet Nam’s support to China in organising the Olympics as well as Viet Nam’s contribution to the event.

President Triet and President Hu Jintao agreed to continue guidance on land border demarcation so that it could be completed by the end of this year. The two sides emphasised that this would be the first time in history that the two countries identified a clear land border line, which was very important to maintaining stability for development in border areas.

The two leaders affirmed to patiently negotiate on issues related to the East Sea, implementing common awareness between the two countries’ leaders to seek basic and long-term solutions that are mutually acceptable.

The two sides agreed to continue to boost co-operation in economy, trade, investment and tourism, and further strengthen exchanges between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries.

Triet said he was pleased to see the new achievements that China gained in its renewal cause, and said he believed the Chinese people would gain more great achievements.

The two sides said they appreciated the effective co-operation between China and Viet Nam in international and regional forums, especially within the United Nations Security Council. They agreed to continue to regularly and firmly co-ordinate in the future. —

Hai Phong must meet potential: Party leader

HAI PHONG — Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has asked the northern port city of Hai Phong to live up to its role as an important driving force for the country’s development.

He made the statement yesterday during his working visit to the city to examine two years of implementing the 10th Party National Congress’s Resolution and the Politburo’s Resolution No 32 on the development of Hai Phong during the industrialisation and modernisation period.

He praised achievements that the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong made in the last two years.

In recent years, the city has consistently recorded a high economic growth rate, with 12.8 per cent last year and 12.2 per cent in the first half of this year.

Average income per capita this year is estimated to reach US$1,480, an increase of 38.7 per cent compared to 2005.

The city’s education, healthcare, culture and sports have been comprehensively developed. Political security and social safety and order have remained stable.

However, Manh also pointed to obstacles that the city still needed to overcome, saying that the local economy did not live up to its potential and was not manifesting its role as a driving force of the region.

Quality of growth and competitiveness of some aspects were still low, he said. Implementation of some important programmes and project was also slow. He noted that some local residents still faced hardships that could be overcome.

He asked the city to further take advantage of its natural and geographic conditions, as the city is located in the northern key economic area, to accelerate socio-economic development.

He asked the city to review its land use plans to maintain a suitable area for agricultural production to assure food security. He asked city leaders to pay more attention to the living conditions of residents who had to move to give land for State constructions.

During his working visit, the Party leader visited the High Command of Military Zone No 3. He asked the Military Zone to firmly protect sovereignty and territorial integrity in this strategic region of the country.

Manh also visited Tan Duong Commune in Thuy Nguyen District, Do Son Town and some production enterprises in Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone. —

Passenger fined for causing delay

HCM CITY — A Viet Nam Airlines (VNA) passenger has to pay the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam (CAAV) a VND25 million (US$1,500) fine for violating aviation rules and causing a flight delay.

VNA flight VN925 was on the runway waiting to take off from Taipei to Ha Noi when Le Van Hanh, a 26-year-old resident of Hung Yen Province, pulled a handle that opened the left side emergency door and inflated an emergency chute last Saturday.

The penalty was lightened because Hanh admitted his fault quickly and sincerely, said director of the Northern Airport Authority Dinh Viet Son.

VNA plans to sue Hanh for compensation, says a VNA’s press release.

The airline had to pay US$50,000 to send the chute to Singapore to have it rolled back, and decreased the number of passengers in that plane in the meantime.

The flight was delayed for two hours until passengers seating near the opened door were booked on another flight.

Cancelled

Nearly 10 international and domestic flights of the national airline to Ha Noi and Hai Phong City were cancelled or suffered from delays, forced to change itinerary due to Storm Kammuri on Thursday.

Vietnam Airlines said some planes had to land at airports in Hue and Da Nang in the centre to avoid the storm, which made landfall in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces on the same day.

The rearrangement for the cancelled flights led to a lot of changes to yesterday’s flight schedules.

Also on Thursday, a Vietnam Airlines’ flight from Paris to HCM City returned to Paris airport one hour after taking off.

The corporation said the plane’s weather radar system was out of order.

The flight resumed three hours later after the problem had been solved. —