Vietnam and Russia sign agreement




Ha Noi, Feb. 24 (VNA) -- Documents for cooperation between Viet Nam's Public Security Ministry and the Russian President's Liaison and Information Agency was signed in Ha Noi this afternoon, Feb. 24.

Signatories were Public Security Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Minh Huong and LIA General Director Sen. Lieut. Gen. V. G. Matchiukin.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Matchiukin is leading a high-ranking delegation to Viet Nam at the inviation of Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Minh Huong.

Implementation of Mecong agreement reviewed




Feb. 24 (VNA) -- A conference to review Viet Nam's five-year implementation of the Mekong Agreement and discuss plans for economic development in the Mekong river basin was held in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 23.

The conference was told that Viet Nam actively took part in seven meetings of the Mekong River Commission Council, MRCC, and 12 meetings of the MRCC Union Committee held in four MRCC member countries, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand between 1995 and 2000.

Sustainable development plan for industrial sector



Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- Industry Minister Dang Vu Chu has identified boosting the production capacity and competitiveness of the industrial sector as the way to sustainable development.

In an interview with the Sai Gon Giai Phong, Liberated Sai Gon, daily, Chu says his ministry's 2001-2005 industrial development strategy is focussed on measures to increase efficiency and competitiveness to gain a bigger share in the domestic and global markets and boost productivity to meet local demand.

Peace village built with US NGO' assistance



Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- Construction work for a Peace Village for the poor and war victims was started in Dong Ha, chief town of the central province of Quang Tri, with aid from Earth Steward Network, U.S. non-government organization.

The U.S. NGO has set up the Peace Trees Viet Nam project to help the war victims in Viet Nam.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by representatives from other international organisations and NGOs.

Boeing sets up fund to support Vietnamese flood victims




Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- The US giant Boeing has set up a fund to support victims of repeated floods in Viet Nam.

The fund had so far mobilised VND 2.1 billion (USD 145,610), which were subsequently channelled to Viet Nam Red Cross and other relevant agencies.

Natural calamities killed 680 people, injured 212 others and caused losses estimated at VND 4,730 billion (USD 337.8 million) in Viet Nam's Mekong delta, southeastern region and the central highlands in 2000.

US doctors help with pharmaceutical products



Twenty five tonnes of Pharmaceutical products including medicine and medical equipment worth over US $4 million, arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport on February 20.

This goods donated by the US 'Doctors' Association with a Heart' will be presented to some hospitals in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Thai Nguyen. In addition, a group including doctors, benefactors, businessmen and volunteers also arrived to co-ordinate with the Ministry of Health to implement the family health care programme.

Historian gives his opinion on religious hearing


Feb. 21 (VNA) -- A Vietnamese historian living in San Diego, California, has described a hearing into religious rights by the U.S. Commission on Feb. 13 as "wrong" as it discussed the wrong topic in the "wrong place" at the "wrong time".

In an open letter to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, dated Feb. 16, the historian, Le Trong Van, cites three reasons to support his remarks:

Rumor about "ROVR-2"



Feb. 21 (VNA) -- There is no information yet from the U.S about permitting Vietnamese returnees who have served less than three years at re-education camps to resettle in the U.S. under the Humanitarian Order (HO) programme, says a senior official.

Russian President to visit Vietnam




Ha Noi, Feb. 21 (VNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to Viet Nam from Feb. 28 to March 2, the Foreign Ministry has announced.

It will be the first visit to Viet Nam by a Russian President.

US Congressman said Vietnam-US trade agreement to be ratified


Ha Noi, Feb. 21 (VNA) -- A U.S. congressman has said he believes the U.S. Congress will ratify the Viet Nam-U.S. Trade Agreement soon.

Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, James Sensenbrenner emphasised the ratification would be made soon, during a reception given in his honour by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam in Ha Noi on Feb. 21., Sensenbrenner added that the U.S. House of Representatives and the President would support the Agreement.

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