Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Oct. 5 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is willing to fulfil its obligations in conformity with national and international law in a worldwide endeavour to counter terrorism.

The statement was made by Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Chau at a UN discussion on measures to eliminate international terrorism in New York on Oct. 4.

Ambassador Chau stressed the need to bring the planners, organisers and perpetrators of senseless acts of terrorism to justice in such a way that would not turn into acts of vengeance which can easily endanger other innocent people.

He noted that terrorism is going global, therefore, counter-terrorism should go global as well. The solidarity and unity among people around the world and their participation in a common endeavour is badly needed in the goal of rooting out terrorists from daily life.

The Vietnamese Ambassador pointed out: "To this end, a comprehensive strategy should be worked out to deal with the political, diplomatic and development issues of genuine concern. And the UN, as a universal organisation where every nation, big or small, acts on an equal footing should play a key role in the process through discharging the functions entrusted to it in the UN Charter, in accordance with international laws and other relevant international conventions."

After strongly condemning the terrorist attacks in New York on Sept. 11, Ambassador Chau pointed out that having been victims of such acts of terrorism, as the hike jacking of an airliner in 1978, the attacks and bombings on its diplomatic representation offices in a number of foreign capitals in Europe and Asia in 1999, the violation of its airspace by a criminal pilot in 2000, Viet Nam is fully aware that it is important to have international cooperation in the prevention of terrorism and in the punishment of the culprits.

He went on to say it is the responsibility of each nation not to provide shelter and/or support in whatever form to the terrorists before, during and after such acts of barbarism.

The Vietnamese representative noted that right after the Sept. 11 tragedies, President Tran Duc Luong and Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien of Viet Nam in their condolence messages addressed to President George Bush and State Secretary Collins Powell had extended the sympathy and condolences of the Vietnamese people and Government to the U.S. Government and people. They voiced their indignation and strong condemnation of the barbarous acts that involved the heavy loss of innocent lives.--VNA