Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Nov. 1 (VNA) -- Viet Nam underlines that the adoption of the draft resolution on "Peace, Security and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula" by the United Nations General Assembly is of special significance for the question of peace and security in North East Asia as well as the world over, said Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Chau, Permanent Representative to the UN.

Speaking at the 55th session, On Agenda Item 183: "Peace, Security and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula" of the UN General Assembly in New York on Oct. 30, 2000, Mr. Chau said:

"The Vietnamese people have followed closely and with keen interest the recent promising developments on the Korean Peninsula. We warmly welcome the efforts of national reconciliation and peaceful dialogues between the two Korean governments as well as the efforts of the DPRK to improve and normalize its ties with western countries, the United States in particular.

Viet Nam now enjoys excellent relations with both the DPRK and the ROK. Due to the geographical location, the Vietnamese people and the Korean people have shared many similarities in their cultures and history for thousands of years. Viet Nam is, therefore, more than any other country in the world, fully sympathetic to the aspirations and desires of the Korean people to have a life in peace in a unified nation.

We fully support the Joint-Declaration issued at the inter-Korean Summit that took place in Pyongyang in June 2000. Viet Nam firmly believes that the implementation of the Declaration will further the cause of peace and security on the peninsula, thus bringing the Korean people closer to their dream of living in a reunified Korea.

We strongly believe that the Korean people will overcome every obstacle on their way and join together to build a strong, peaceful and prosperous country on the Han river, and thus keeping in line with their age-old admirable traditions."