US weekly: Agent Orange still poisons Vietnam new generations

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 10:43

(VNA) The US Time magazine on Dec. 16 ran a feature reflecting the fact that the levels of cancer-causing dioxins in Danang airport area are still 300-400 times higher than what is deemed to be safe, yet the US is using aid on meetings rather than practical deeds like cleanup of the toxic.

Defence chief: boost integration but maintain independence

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 10:39

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh has reaffirmed Vietnam’s external policy of independence along with global integration at the end of his visit to the US and France.

Thanh told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that the Defence Ministry has established relations with 60 foreign counterparts and has sent attachés to dozens of countries. In return, over 20 countries have opened defence attaché offices in Vietnam.

East Sea security, development workshop closes

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 11:59

(VNA) An international workshop on cooperation on the East Sea wrapped up in Hanoi on Nov. 27 with 25 speeches presented and four discussion sessions held.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Prof. Dr Duong Van Quang, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said that scientific knowledge at the event will be a valuable reference source for policy makers and provide a more objective and comprehensive assessment of disputes in this region.

Regarding recent dispute at Bat Nha Monastery

Thu, 10/08/2009 - 12:27

Spokeswoman of Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Nguyen Phuong Nga answered question regarding on the information that Viet Nam forced about 400 followers of the Plum Village to leave the Bat Nha Monastery, Lam Dong province:

First of all, I would like to make it clear that there is absolutely no such thing as ‘Viet Nam forced 400 Plum Village followers to leave Bat Nha Monastery.’ The information saying that there have been clashes between the authorities and the "monks" and "nuns" at Bat Nha Monastery, causing several wounded and many others detained, is totally false.

Vietnam, US set up health task force on AO/dioxin

Thu, 09/24/2009 - 17:38

(VNA) Vietnam and the US have reached consensus on directions to address the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in the Southeast Asian country, including the establishment of a health task force.

The two nations came to the decision during the fourth annual meeting of the Vietnam-US Joint Advisory Council (JAC) on AO which ended in Hanoi on Sept. 10 after three days of talks.

State President: Vietnam persists with anti-war policy

Thu, 09/24/2009 - 17:25

(VNA) Vietnam follows a consistent policy to protest against war, promote disarmament and preserve peace, State President Nguyen Minh Triet has said at the United Nations Security Council summit in New York on Sept. 24.

The summit, the first for heads of State to discuss the issue of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, is part of the 64th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Reception marks VN's National Day in US

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 16:39

(VNA) Ambassador of Vietnam Le Cong Phung hosted a National Day (Sept. 2) reception in the capital city of the United States on Sept. 15.

Among their guests at the reception were officials from the US Department of State and the ambassadors of several countries in the US .

Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador Phung recalled 64 years of development of Vietnam since the country's foundation in 1945. He laid stress on the achievements Vietnam gained in national construction, especially the high economic growth rates over recent years.

Nation attracts over 10 billion USD in FDI

Tue, 08/25/2009 - 10:26

(VNA) The country attracted 10.1 billion USD in foreign direct investment in the first seven months of the year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Of the sum, 53 percent was registered capital for 385 newly-licensed projects and 46 percent was additional capital for 125 existing projects. In the period, the materialised capital was worth 4.6 billion USD.
FIA said that in general FDI projects are on course to meet the goal of attracting 20 billion USD in FDI capital and disbursing 8 billion USD in 2009.

US veteran apologises for My Lai massacre

Tue, 08/25/2009 - 10:26

(VNA) A US veteran, the only officer convicted after the mass killings in My Lai, central Vietnam, in 1968, has made a public apology to victims and their families for the first time, foreign media reported.
"There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai," former lieutenant William Calley told members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus, Georgia.
"I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry,” he added.

Vietnam wants to better lives of ethnic minorities

Tue, 08/04/2009 - 16:30

(VNA) Vietnam has resolved to make greater efforts to further improve the spiritual and material life of ethnic minority people.
The determination was renewed at a conference to review five years of implementation of the seventh Party Central Committee resolution on ethnic affairs in Hanoi on July 29.
At the event, Truong Tan Sang, a Politburo member and Standing Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), affirmed “the Party always defines ethnic issues and affairs as ‘holding an important strategic position’ among other efforts”.

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