Socialist Republic of Vietnam

(Nhandan.org.vn, April 17, 2003)

The Vietnamese people, including the Vietnamese community in the United States, have strongly condemned a number of overseas Vietnamese extremists who have intentionally sowed discord among the Vietnamese community.

"Their actions are unacceptable and strongly rejected by the Vietnamese people, including the Vietnamese community in the US," said Vietnamese Consul General in San Francisco Nguyen Manh Hung on April 17.

Mr Hung was responding Vietnam News Agency correspondent's query about Vietnamese people's reaction to some cities in the US to allow Vietnamese extremists to display the flag of the former Saigon puppet regime at public places.

He said that while all Vietnamese people are now looking towards a bright future for the country, some individuals like Andy Quach, Tran Thai Van, Nguyen Dinh Thang and Nguyen Quoc Lan have intentionally recalled past-related issues and sowed discord among the Vietnamese community. "This runs counter to the development of the relationship for mutual interest of the Vietnamese and US, people, including the Vietnamese community in the US," stressed the diplomat. He added "Their actions surely harm themselves." (VNA)