VNA Greetings sent to Lao Party Congress The seventh National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) marks a new step in the country's steady development, the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPV CC) says in its message of greetings to the LPRP's congress. The congress was opened in Vientiane yesterday, March 12. The message salutes the achievements recorded by the Lao Party, State and people over the past 15 years in implementing a comprehensive reform programme. The reform, it says, has ensured economic growth and political stability, improved people's living conditions and enhanced Laos' international status and position. The CPV CC regards the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two neighbours fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane as an example of faithful and pure international relations, an important factor in the victory of each country's revolution and a priceless treasure of the two peoples. The CPV CC pledged to do their utmost to develop bilateral co-operation in the interests of both countries, and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world. The CPV CC also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the LPRP and the Lao people for their valuable support and help to Vietnam's national construction and defence. **** Ho Chi Minh City launches tree planting movement Deputy Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee initiated the tree planting and protection in the city through a movement entitled 'Planting trees to remember our Great Uncle Ho' on March 10. As planned, all schools, offices, industrial and import-export zones, hospitals and residential areas will participate in planting trees to expand the green coverage of the city up to 35% of the city's total area and 4.5 metres of green trees per head by the year 2005. The city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will, in co-ordination with relevant agencies, have the responsibility to organise contests 'Green, Clean and Beautiful Environment' at all levels. **** Youth contribute ideas to draft Political Report Many Youth Union members and students came to Nhan Dan newspaper headquarters yesterday morning to join a talk to contribute opinions to the draft Political Report which is to be submitted to the upcoming ninth Party Congress. Most participants affirmed that the content of the draft Political Report is concise, adequate and profound. Many of them also expressed their belief in the path to socialism raised in the draft document and their delight in the achievements recorded by the Party, State and people of Vietnam for 15 years of renovation. They also said they promised to unceasingly study so as to follow the path chosen by the Party, Uncle Ho and the whole people. Young people also frankly contributed ideas to the draft Political Report, focusing on two main issues including the development of culture, education-training, science-technology and environment; and enhancement of the Party building and consolidating work and improvement of leadership capacity and fighting spirit of the Party. **** Activities mark 70th anniversary of Communist Youth Union The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has started a series of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the committee (March 26, 1931 - March 26, 2001). These are aimed at enlarging the participation of young people in national building and defence and promoting the tradition of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth. On this occasion, the committee will recognise projects completed by the youth, present Ly Tu Trong prize, organise the festival of Central Highlands ethnic young people, launch the movement 'Volunteer Year for Children in Special Difficulties' and award prizes to ten outstanding young people in 2000. **** Vietnam introduced on Belgrade television Halong bay. Belgrade Television broadcast a programme to introduce the landscape and features of Vietnam on March 11, according to the correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency in Belgrade. The programme directly presented the views of Hanoi known as the heart of Vietnam, including the historic Ba Binh Square and President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum to people in Yugoslavia. Significant features of Hanoi were highlighted in the programme such as a capital of thousand years of culture with One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, world-unique water puppetry, Tran Quoc Pagoda and other historic projects built to mark the glorious history of the fights against foreign invaders and national building of Vietnam. Ha Long bay, recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO, was also introduced. **** Vietnamese workers in France support renovation The Workers' Society of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in France has affirmed continued support to the Vietnamese Party and State's renovation at its 26th congress. The congress, which was held in Paris on March 11, reviewed the society's activities over the past three years in promoting the tradition of patriotism and making spiritual and material contributions to the homeland. Over the past three years, the society donated FRF 200,000 and emergency aid to victims of natural calamities in the country. Addressing the congress, Vietnamese Ambassador in Paris Nguyen Manh Dung praised the society's contributions to national defence in the past and national construction at present. The congress elected a new 15-member executive board for the 2001-2004 term. (VNA) **** Russian anti-submarine warships arrives Two Russian anti-submarine warships: ŒAdmiral Vinogradov¹ (launched in April 1989) and ŒAdmiral Panteleev¹(launched in 1991) of the Asia-Pacific Fleet, the Russian Navy arrived in Saigon port in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time on March 12. This is within the framework of co-operation between the Defence Ministries of Vietnam and Russian Federation. The whole crew has 800 members. Vice Admiral and Deputy Commander of the Asia-Pacific Fleet A V Konev is the head of the delegation. The two warships will be staying in Ho Chi Minh City till March 16. The delegation is scheduled to pay floral tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Monument; met with the city¹s leaders, the Naval Command, the Command of the Military Zone No 7 and have friendly volleyball matches with the Ho Chi Minh City Naval Technical School. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
