General Secretary gives banquet to foreign delegates
Ha Noi, April 22 (VNA) -- Freshly-elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nong Duc Manh hosted a state dinner today, April 22, at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi in honour of foreign delegates to the just-ended ninth national Party Congress.
Together with the Party leader at the dinner were former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, former advisors to and former Politburo members of the eighth Party Central Committee, Politburo members of the ninth Party Central Committee.
Speaking to his guests, Mr. Manh thanked all foreign delegates, distinguished guests, veteran revolutionaries, comrades and friends present at the function.
He said: "The ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam was convened at a time of paramount historic significance. The congress, the first in the 21st century, has reviewed the country's situation in 1996-2000,summarized stages of Viet Nam's revolutionary evolution in the 20th century, particularly in 15 years of renewal, and charted the line and strategy of national development for the 2001-2005 period and the two first decades of the 21st century.
"We are pleased to inform all of you that the congress was crowned with success. All important documents unanimously adopted at the congress are the outcome of wisdom and strong will of the entire Party and people before the nation's destiny in a new period - that of continuing the all-sided and far-reaching renovation along the socialist direction, accelerating industrialisation and modernisation for a prosperous people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilized society.
"Fully aware of the key role of Party building, the ninth Congress has summed up historic lessons of experiences drawn from this important work during seven decades of Party leadership of Viet Nam's revolution, particularly the renovation process. With such experiences, the Congress has decided the orientations, tasks and important solutions to continue making the Communist Party of Viet Nam commensurate with the nation's demands in the new period of development.
"The Congress has elected the 150-member Central Committee (ninth tenure), which includes those who symbolize the political qualification and revolutionary ethics and have abilities to successfully carry out the resolution of the Congress
He continued: "All delegates to the Congress, the entire Party, people and army were very moved at and expressed thanks to foreign delegations for their speeches full of profound sentiments to the Congress, the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Vietnamese people. These were manifestations of the friendship and reliable solidarity and cooperation between the Party and people of Viet Nam and international comrades and friends for the noble cause of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.
"The ninth Party Congress affirmed Viet Nam's continuation with its foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, multilateralization and diversification of international relations. Viet Nam is prepared to be a reliable friend and partner of all nations regardless of political system, on the basis of respecting each other's independence and sovereignty, equality, mutual benefit and striving for peace, independence and development."
The Party leader renewed that the Communist Party of Viet Nam would continue adhering to and persisting in the viewpoints of combining just patriotism with pure internationalism of the working class, the tradition of being faithful with international comrades and friends in the new period.
Mr. Manh said in conclusion: "The ninth National Congress of the CPV highly praised outstanding achievements recorded by all branches, localities and units in patriotic emulation movements to welcome the Congress. The ninth Congress expressed thanks to all Vietnamese people, inside or outside the country, for their opinions given to documents presented to the Congress."--VNA
