Vietnam Airlines pilot held in Tokyo

HA NOI — Japanese officials temporarily held a Vietnam Airlines pilot yesterday for his suspected association with a smuggling syndicate.

The airline identified the flyer as Dang Xuan Hop who served as deputy captain aboard a 777 aircraft that flew from Ha Noi to Tokyo.

Its spokesperson in Japan said investigators had continued their inquiries with the co-operation of Vietnam Airlines offices at Narita, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukoka airports.

In Ha Noi, Vietnam Airlines spokesman Trinh Ngoc Thanh said the company had asked its staff in Japan to work closely with Japanese investigators.

If Japanese and Vietnamese investigators proved that Dang Xuan Hop had broken the law, he would have to take responsibility for what he had done, the spokesman said.

Vietnam Airlines would also punish any guilty employees. —

Vietnam supports comprehensive solution to piracy off Somalia

– Vietnam strongly condemns all acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels at sea, including those in the waters off the coast of Somalia , said Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung at a Ministerial Meeting of the Security Council on Dec. 16.

Speaking at the meeting on the crisis in Somalia , including the problem of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia , Ambassador Trung, the Vietnamese charge d’affaires to the UNSC, affirmed that Vietnam has engaged constructively in the concerted efforts of the Security Council in this regard.

While commending the initiatives undertaken by many countries as well as the regional and international organizations to counter piracy in Somalia, Trung stressed that the problems of piracy and lawlessness at sea off the coast of Somalia will not be solved if their root cause, which is lack of peace and stability in the country since 1991, is not squarely dealt with.

He expressed concern about the worsening political, security and humanitarian crisis in the country and called on the international community to focus their efforts on the political and security fronts in which the establishment of a unity government with a safe and secure environment to function is the key to a lasting peace and stability in Somalia .

“In this connection, we call upon the leaders of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to make serious efforts to work together towards the strengthening and enlargement of the Transitional Federal Institutions,” the diplomat said.

He also urged all other Somali stakeholders to renounce violence and join the Djibouti peace process so that Somalia would soon be able to stabilize itself for the sake of the Somali people.

Ambassador Trung noted that piracy and armed robbery in the waters off the coast of Somalia exacerbates the situation in Somalia which is a threat to international peace and security.

“My delegation, therefore, wishes to stress the need for the international community, with the cooperation of the United Nations and the African Union, to engage more actively in Somalia with a view to developing an integrated and comprehensive approach for the interests of peace, stability and development in this country,” he said.

Vietnam’s representative concluded by emphasising that any action or measure taken in relation to Somalia, including fighting piracy, must respect fully the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia and in conformity with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law, including humanitarian and human rights law.-

Vietnam, India move towards strategic partnership

– The third Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival is to be held in India in 2009 as part of the two countries’ efforts to boost their strategic partnership.

President of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association Hoang Van Phong made this announcement in Hanoi on Dec. 11, during a meeting to review the association’s performance in 2008 and discuss next year’s strategy.

To prepare for the event, the association will compile a book highlighting the political, economic and cultural ties between the two nations, Phong said.

The second Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival was held in Vietnam from August 10-15, 2008, welcoming more than 50 Indian delegates.

According to Phong, an Indian-backed scholarship programme for gifted Vietnamese students would benefit disadvantaged but outstanding students, therefore, the association will continue to strive to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students to study in India .

This year marks the first year that Vietnam and India have implemented their joint declaration on moving towards a strategic partnership.

During the first eight months of 2008, bilateral trade between the two countries reached a total of 1.85 billion USD.

During this period, Indian investors invested almost 580 million USD in Vietnam , tripling the registered sum of 195 million USD.-

Vietnam applauds improvements in Guinea Bissau and Burundi

New York (VNA) – A Vietnamese representative to the United Nations applauded recent improvements and progress in security situation in Guinea Bissau and Burundi .

At the UN Security Council’s consultation on the situation in Guinea Bissau on December 11, Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung hailed Guinea Bissau for successfully organising the legislative elections on Nov. 16, considering it as another positive milestone for the country to achieve durable peace, stability and long-term development.

He, however, expressed concerns about complicated impacts on socio-economic reconstruction efforts in Guinea Bissau and the sub-region as a result from growing drug trafficking and organised crime, poverty, unemployment, and adverse consequences of contagious cholera epidemic.

The Vietnamese representative stressed the pressing need to further improve the security situation in Guinea Bissau by reinforcing the reform in the security sector and capacity-building of national law enforcement and judicial authorities.

On the other hand, the Ambassador called on all parties concerned in the country to exercise restraint, renounce violence and strengthen political dialogue and reconciliation, to contribute to consolidating peace and creating an environment conducive for socio-economic reconstruction.

He stressed the role played by the Peacebuilding Commission, UN agencies, regional organisations and international community in helping Guinea Bissau maximally mobilise and utilise its resources.

Addressing the UN Security Council debate on the situation in Burundi and BINUB’s operation the same day, Ambassador Trung noted with satisfaction the recent improvement in the overall security situation and remarkable progress in Burundi ’s peace and political process.

He especially highlighted the signing of the peace agreement on Dec. 4 between the Government and the Palipehutu-FNL, the resumption of legislative activity in the Parliament and the establishment of the National Independent Electoral Commission.

The Vietnamese representative urged all parties concerned to fully implement the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement (CCA) signed in 2006 and other agreements recently concluded, seriously engage in the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and actively cooperate with the Regional Peace Initiative, the South African Facilitation and the Political Directorate to address the peace and security challenges and promote the political process.

“We fully support BINUB’s role and highly appreciate its contributions to consolidating the peace process, promoting political dialogue, assisting the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) processes, carrying out capacity building and humanitarian assistance activities.” Said Trung.

He affirmed Vietnam ’s support for the recommendation made by the Secretary-General in extending BINUB’s mandate for another 12-month period until December 31, 2009 with an intention to review its mandate by June 2009.-

Vietnam joins int’l efforts to fight terrorism

New York (VNA) – Vietnam condemns terrorist acts of any form and shows sympathy for the Indian victims of terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Nov. 26, said a Vietnamese diplomat.

Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, Charge d’ Affaires to the United Nations, made the statement at the UN Security Council’s open debate on international terrorism prevention in New York on December 9.

The event, which took place in the context of recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, was attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who told participants that the fight against terrorism is a high priority of the international community.

Trung said efforts to fight terrorism can only be successful with all nations’ coordination and emphasised the UN’s role in coordinating international cooperation on the basis of abiding by international law, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-interference in internal affairs.

While attaching importance to measures to punish terrorist attacks’ perpetrators, the UN should focus on addressing the root causes of the terrorism, including political and socio-economic inequality, poverty, the use of force in international relations and illegal territorial occupation, the ambassador said.

Trung said in conclusion that the Vietnamese Government has prioritised efforts to prevent crimes and terrorism through strengthening a legal system for crime prevention, raising public awareness of the issue, as well as enhancing cooperation with regional countries, especially in the framework of ASEAN cooperation.-

Algerian defence secretary wraps up Vietnam visit

– Algeria’s General Secretary of Defence, Lieut. Gen. Senhadji Ahmed, and his entourage departed Hanoi on December 5, concluding a six-day official visit to Vietnam.

During his stay in Vietnam , the Algerian defence official held talks with Lieut. Gen. Bui Van Huan, Vice Head of the Politics General Department of the Vietnam People’s Army.

He also paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu as well as working with the Quan doi Nhan dan newspaper and the Ministry of Defence’s Institute of Politics .

The Algerian delegation visited several historical sites and areas of natural beauty in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.-

Australia helps Vietnam improve its judicial system

Hanoi (VNA) – Australia has pledged to provide 600,000 AUD to help improve Vietnam’s judicial system in 2009.

A project to update the Vietnamese Judiciary’s Benchbook (phase II) was signed off in Hanoi on December 3 by the Australian ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox and standing deputy chief of justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Dang Quang Phuong.

The Australian government-funded assistance is to be chanelled via the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam (SPC) will act as the implementing agency and the Federal Court of Australia will act as a co-managing agency.

Under the terms of the project, the SPC will draft new sections of the Benchbook reflecting the recent significant legislative programme undertaken in Vietnam .

In addition, several existing chapters of the Benchbook will be revised, based on comments and suggestions made by the law community.

According to the Australian Embassy, the project is expected to be completed by October 2009. It will be the first Benchbook for Vietnamese judges.

Phase I of the project was carried out between 2004 and 2006 with a similar level of investment.-

Vietnam, Japan move towards strategic partnership

HCM City (VNA) – The Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ikuo Mizuki said he is optimistic about the prospects for his country’s ties with Vietnam , which have moved comprehensively towards the establishment of a strategic partnership.

The diplomat made the statement at a meeting held in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 3 to mark Japan’s National Day (Dec. 23) and the 75 th birthday of the Japanese Emperor.

He also said Japanese investment in Vietnam will increase significantly in the future, as will cooperation in the culture, education and tourism sectors.

Japan has become one of Vietnam ’s major tourist markets since flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo , Osaka , Nagoya and Fukuoka were established.

In 2007, out of a total of 410,000 Japanese tourists who visited Vietnam , 236,000 visited Ho Chi Minh City .

“We believed that Vietnam ’s efforts to reform administrative procedures and to ensure visitor’s safety will lure more Japanese tourists to Vietnam ,” the consul general said.

According to the Chairman of the municipal Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, Hoang Van Tuan, the relationship between the two countries has become increasingly positive and dynamic at multilateral forums.

As an ASEAN-Japan relations coordinator , Vietnam has intensified its cooperation with Japan in all important regional issues.

Tuan also highlighted the booming trade ties between the two nations, with bilateral trade turnover at more than 10 billion USD in 2007, three times 1999’s figure. The country was also Vietnam ’s largest ODA donor last year, with 13 billion USD poured into the Southeast Asian country.-

Algerian defence secretary visits Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – An Algerian military delegation led by the country’s General Secretary of Defence, Lieut. Gen. Senhadji Ahmed, is paying an official visit to Vietnam beginning on Nov. 30.

The defence official held talks with a delegation of the Politics General Department of the Vietnam People’s Army on Dec. 3.

Lieut. Gen. Bui Van Huan, Vice head of the Politics General Department, said he believed that the visit to Vietnam by the Algerian defence general secretary will help to improve and strengthen the friendship and relationship between the two countries’ armies and peoples.

The two sides informed each other of the current political and socio-economic conditions in their respective countries and shared experiences in expanding the armed forces and training soldiers and officers.

They also promised to increase the frequency of exchanges and seek opportunities for further cooperation in the fields of military medicine, training, press and communication.

Later that day, the Algerian delegation paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu.-

Vietnam calls for more aid for Chad, Sudan

– Vietnam welcomes the launching of the UN Work Plan for Sudan on Nov. 20 and calls on the international community and donors to respond actively and extend necessary resources to expedite the implementation of the plan.

The statement was made by Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, Vietnamese Charge d’ Affaires to the UN Security Council, at a council briefing on the humanitarian situation in Chad and the Sudan in New York on December 3.

The Vietnamese representative expressed concerns about the grave humanitarian situation in Chad and the Sudan , particularly banditry, carjacking and armed attacks against relief workers in Darfur .

“We support investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice and urge all parties concerned to fully respect international humanitarian laws and ensure the safety of UN staff and humanitarian workers,” Trung said.

At the same time, the diplomat welcomed the improvement in Chad-Sudan relations, saying that Vietnam hopes it will be a major contribution to the consolidation and improvement of the security and humanitarian situation in the subregion.

He also highly appreciated the efforts made by the humanitarian community, especially the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in cooperating with the respective governments of Chad and the Sudan to improve humanitarian situation in the subregion.

“The root causes of the conflicts and their concomitant humanitarian disasters must also be addressed by reviving the political process, encouraging national reconciliation, and promoting socio-economic development in both Chad and the Sudan ,” Trung said in conclusion.-