MOFA Spokeswoman: Vietnam has honored Tripartie argreement

The conclusion of the Tripartite Agreement signed on 21 January 2002 on repatriation of ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands who have illegally crossed the border into Cambodia is the result of efforts by Viet Nam, Cambodia and UNHCR. Viet Nam has honored, and will commit itself to, this Agreement, according to which returnees will be repatriated in safety and respect for human dignity. Viet Nam has never returned and will never repatriate people against their own will.

No antibiotics in Vietnam's shrimps: FM Spokeswoman

Spokeswoman for Vietnam's Foreign Ministry Phan Thuy Thanh, on March 21 affirmed that Vietnamese shrimp exports contain no antibiotics.

"Experts have informed us that there is no nitrofuran substance in Vietnamese shrimp exports to the EU," she said.

Deputy PM stresses role of rural industrialisation

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has stressed the prime importance of agricultural and rural industrialisation and modernisation in the national development.


Mr Dung, also a Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, said on March 19 that "To promote the national combined strength to fulfill the agricultural and rural industrialisation and modernisation targets is of prime importance in the cause for national industrialisation and modernisation."

PM Khai highlights progress of socio-economic development

"We must increase the quality of socio-economic development, further combine economic growth with cultural development and firmly maintain national security and defence," said Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Mr Khai made this comments while presenting a government work report the 1997-2002 tenure at the opening of the current National Assembly session in Hanoi on March 15.

Vietnam wants UNHCR to continue repatriation of illegal migrants

Ha Noi, March 13 (VNA) -- A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman today called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to fulfil the tripartite agreement which it signed with Viet Nam and Cambodia dealing with the repatriation of illegal Vietnamese migrants now in camps in Cambodia.

The spokeswoman, Phan Thuy Thanh, made the statement in reply to foreign reporters' questions on the results of a meeting for that purpose held by Viet Nam, Cambodia and the UNHCR in Ho Chi Minh City on March 12, which she described as frank and constructive.

US citizen slams slanderous accusations against Vietnam


Andrew Wells-Dang, Washington-based representative of the US Fund for Reconciliation and Development (FRD), has strongly criticised slanderous accusations by Michael Benge, Florida Republican Representative, Mrs Ileana Ros-Lebtinen and exiled Vietnamese in France about the human rights situation in Vietnam.

"More than 25 years after the Vietnam War ended... some people are still trying to fight the war by other means," said Andrew in his article published by the Washington Times on Sunday (March 10) edition.

FM rejects the U.S State Dept's human rights report 2001

Ha Noi, March 6 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Phan Thuy Thanh on Wednesday rejected as a crude slander the U.S. State Department's human rights report in 2001 criticizing some countries including Viet Nam.

"The report has grossly distorted the reality in Viet Nam as it made a series of slanderous accusations with false evidence," Ms. Thanh said in response to foreign and domestic correspondents' queries about Viet Nam's reaction to the U.S. human rights report issued on March 4.

Aspiration for family reunion relatives of illegal immigrants

Central Highlands province Gia Lai

Government holds February meeting


Ha Noi, Mar. 5 (VNA) -- Bustling local markets and increased consumer and service indexes in the first two months of this year had a positive impact on the country's industrial production and service, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai remarked.

He made the comment at the government's monthly regular meeting held in Ha Noi on Mar. 4-5.

Party leader requires far-reaching implementation of democracy

Ha Noi, Mar. 4 (VNA) -- All organisational and operational activities of Viet Nam's political system in the coming period are aimed at building and gradually perfecting the socialist democracy, which ensures that power is placed in the hands of the people, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Mr. Manh was speaking at a two-day national conference, which opened in Ha Noi on Monday, to review the implementation of democratic regulations at the grassroots level.

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