FM Spokeswomen on action infringed Vietnam's airspace

Foreign Ministry's Spokeswoman, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh answered question from correspondents on Ly Tong infringed upon Vietnam's sovereignty and national security, air safety regulations and international laws and treaties as following:


"Ly Tong, a Vietnamese national residing in the United States of America is a dangerous international terrorist. In 1992, he was arrested by Viet Nam and sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment on the charge of hijacking a plane. Thanks to Viet Nam's clemency policy, he was granted an amnesty in September 1998. In January 2000, he infringed upon Cuban airspace. This time, Ly Tong's action were specially serious, infringing upon Viet Nam's sovereignty and national security, violating air safety regulations and international laws and treaties.

It is Viet Nam's view that Ly Tong's dangerous act must be punished severely according to Viet Nam's law and the countries concerned should take action in conformity with international law and practice."