Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Pnan Thuy Thanh on Thursday, Sept. 20, answering questions from reporters said that " consistently, Viet Nam opposes terrorist acts that bring about death and suffering to innocent people", "the culprits of terrorist attacks must be punished" and "think that the United States must exercise caution, correctly identify the culprits and in its action, must respect the UN Charter, respect fundamental principles of international law". The full text is as following:

1. AFP: Please provide Vietnam's position on the possibility that the US may use force to attack Afghanistan in retaliation of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States.

Answer:

We very much sympathize with the American people over their losses in the recent terrorist attacks.

Consistently, Viet Nam opposes terrorist acts that bring deaths and sufferings to civilians and is of the view that the culprits of terrorist attacks must be punished. The international community should step up cooperation in the fight against terrorism and at the same time ensure peace and stability in the world.

We think that the United States must exercise caution, correctly identify the culprits, and in its action, must respect the UN Charter, respect fundamental principles of international law, respect other states' sovereignty and not complicate international relations, avoid taking actions that damage property and claim lives of innocent civilians.

2. Nikkei: Is there an agreement among Vietnam, the Russian Federation and the United States that Vietnam and Russia temporarily allow the US to use Cam Ranh base in its retaliation operation after the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?

Answer:

Cam Ranh is Vietnam's port. Vietnam does not allow foreign countries to use Cam Ranh in military purposes.

3. AP: Has the United States requested Viet Nam to join a US-led global anti-terrorism coalition and how did Viet Nam reply?

Answer:

The US side has requested Viet Nam to step up security measures to protect US representative offices in Viet Nam. We have met these requests and taken necessary measures to protect US representative offices in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam supports efforts of the international community to fight against terrorism on the basis of observance of the UN Charter, fundamental principles of international law, insurance of peace, stability and security in the world and not causing damages to innocent civilians.