VNA
Party leader expresses pleasure at "historic" China visit
Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has expressed
satisfaction with his five-day official visit to China, describing it as a
"historic visit."
"The visit resulted in great progress. It was very successful, and it has
elevated Vietnam-China ties to a new level," the Party leader said in an
exclusive interview with China's Xinhua News Agency during the last leg of
his China tour.
Vietnam's Party chief began a five-day official goodwill visit to China on
November 30, at the invitation of Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and president of China.
Mr Manh said that he had exchanged views on deepening bilateral ties and
co-operation in a wide range of fields when he met with Jiang Zemin and
other Chinese leaders.
"The smooth development in relations is the wish of both Parties, countries
and peoples and serves not only their interests but also benefits world
peace and stability," General Secretary Manh told Xinhua.
Mr Manh stressed that in the spirit of mutual trust, the Vietnamese side
will expand and deepen friendly and co-operative ties between the two
countries, making the ties permanent.
He was very interested in, and spoke highly of, China's experience in
economic development, and expressed his hope that Vietnam and China would
learn from each other to help boost development in the two countries. (VNA)
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NA debates reports on court and prosecution sector
National Assembly deputies met in a plenary meeting on December 5, the
thirteenth working day of the NA session to discuss working reports of the
chief justice of the Supreme People's Court and the general procurator of
the Supreme People's Procuracy and a report of the government on the
management of the local people's courts on organisation and law enforcement.
Fourteen delegates from 14 cities and provinces raised their voices,
evaluating achievements as well as shortcomings in this year's justice
activities and the actual situation of the investigation, detainment,
prosecution, sentence and law enforcement.
The improvement of the quality of officials in the court and procuracy
sectors and law enforcement activity was also discussed.
Deputies also raised the facts of the current fight against corruption,
smuggling, trade fraud and efficient measures to deal with the problem and
the ways to control and push back drugs and other new crimes.
Some others put forth measures to limit the criminalisation of civilian,
economic and administrative relations.
The settlement of people's petitions and denunciation and priority policy
for officials and staff of the law agencies were also raised for discussion.
In the afternoon of the same day, NA deputies held group discussions on
working reports of the NA's Standing Committee, the Council for
Nationalities and other committees of the NA.
NA deputies met in a plenary meeting on November 6 to debate the amendment
of and supplement to the 1992 Constitution.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA chairman highlights viewpoints on constitution's revision
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An said new constitutional revisions
will focus chiefly on a number of articles regarded as urgent for continued
reform of the State apparatus, while affirming the overall State model
defined in the 1992 Constitution.
"This is the most crucial viewpoint guiding constitutional amendments and
supplements at this time," said Nguyen Van An, who is also chairman of the
National Committee for Constitutional Revision.
The committee has received 221 reports contributed by government ministries
and agencies at both central and local levels, 203 comments from a wide
range of people across the country, and 206 public comments published by
mass media since the proposed constitutional revision was made public in
mid-August, he said.
"Almost all public contributions are related to the articles concerning
organisation of the State apparatus as well as economic, social,
educational, scientific and technological development," Nguyen Van An said
in an interview on December with the army newspaper Quan Doi Nhan Dan.
"Public opinion has affirmed the leading role of the Communist Party in
Vietnam as undeniable and indisputable," he stressed, adding "However, some
opinions also point to the need to clarify the form of Communist Party
leadership within the government and the role and responsibility of its
members."
"The committee deems it necessary to deal with major issues while making
amendments and supplements to the 1992 Constitution," stated Nguyen Van An.
"Constitutional revision will give the National Assembly the power to stage
a motion of no confidence in office holders elected or approved by the
National Assembly, and the power to decide State budget allocations," Mr An
pointed out.
He added "The National Assembly's Standing Committee will be relieved of its
power to approve appointments and dismissals of deputy prime ministers,
ministers and other members of the government."
"At present, the National Assembly is authorised to elect, relieve and
dismiss as well as to approve appointments and dismissals of key posts in
the central-level State apparatus," Mr An stressed, saying "However, its
authority can be exercised only after it receives proposals and requirements
from competent and responsible persons."
"This will serve as the legal ground for gradually improving the State
apparatus," Mr An told the newspaper. He added "Other important issues
relating to organisation of the State apparatus will be further considered
and presented for more public discussion, including the restructuring of the
people's councils and people's committees at all levels." (VNA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government discusses restructuring of agriculture
The government�s regular meeting was held on November 29-30.
During the two-day meeting, the government heard and discussed the following
reports:
- The 2001-2005 plan on the structural shifting in agriculture, agricultural
and forestry processing and rural trades by the minister of agriculture and
rural development.
- Report on the draft opinions of the government on the Draft Law on
National Assembly Organisation (amendment) and the Draft Law on the
amendment and supplement to some articles of the Law on Election of NA
deputies by the minister of justice.
Report on the summation of opinions of government members on the Draft
Ordinance on Prostitution Control by the minister, head of the Government
Office.
- Report on the Draft Accounting Law by the minister of finance and the
summation of opinions of government members on the draft law by the
minister, head of the Government Office.
- Proposal to the government on the Draft Ordinance of Bidding by the
minister of investment and planning and summation of opinions of government
members on the Draft Ordinance by the minister, head of the Government
Office.
- Report on the socio-economic situation in November and over the past 11
months by the minister of planning and investment.
In the past 11 months of this year, the socio-economic situation has
developed stablely and industries registered a high growth. State budget
collection exceeded the estimated figure and much higher compared with last
year�s figure. Positive changes were seen in some cultural-social fields. On
the other hand, export, State credit disbursement met difficulties. Drug
addiction, prostitution, traffic accidents seem to be increasing.
In December, the government asks ministries, branches and localities to pool
efforts to realise the targeted plans. Special attention is asked to be paid
to such fields as import-export, investment in capital construction and
services, especially in domestic trade, transport and post and
telecommunications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
German Parliament president visits HCM City
President of the German Parliament, Wolfgang Thierse, visited Ho Chi Minh
City on December 5 on the last leg of his official trip to Vietnam, which
began on December 2.
Upon his arrival, the German leader was received by Chairman of the Ho Chi
Minh City People's Council Huynh Dam, who described the visit as an
opportunity for the law-making bodies of the two countries to broaden
co-operation in areas of great potential.
The leader of Vietnam's economic hub also expressed a wish for early deals
with Germany on investment, commerce, and education and training.
In turn, Mr Thierse pledged strong German support for further promotion of
co-operative ties with Vietnam, especially in economics and commerce. He
said he hoped the Vietnamese community in Germany would serve as a bridge
for those links.
Mr Thierse made the visit at the invitation of Chairman of the National
Assembly Nguyen Van An. (VNA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil deposit discovered at Bach Ho field
An oil deposit has been discovered at Well 16 of Bach Ho (White Tiger) Field
offshore southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, according to the Vietnam-Russia
Oil and Gas Joint Venture Enterprise (Vietsovpetro).
The deposit was discovered at depths of between 3,955 and 4,150 metres. At
the 4,150 metre point, the reservoir produces daily supplies of 170 cubic
metres of crude oil, or 1,240 barrels, and 7,336 cubic metres of gas.
It is the first deposit found at Bach Ho Field's southern vault. In 1988,
Vietsovpetro, a joint venture responsible for Bach Ho Field, did not find
industrial oil when drilling Well 15 BH. (VNA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thai ambassador speaks on bilateral
trade relations
"Thailand and Vietnam enjoy a vibrant co-operative international
relationship," says Thai ambassador.
Ambassador Kriengsak Deesrisuk has spoken to Vietnam News Agency's
English-language daily on the occasion of Thailand's National Day (December
5).
"Bilateral trade recorded US $1 billion in 2000 and is expected to surpass
the targeted US $1.2 billion in 2001, he noted.
This is the fruit of close co-operation between both public and private
sectors and the governments and peoples of both countries continue to work
in true partnership for mutual benefit.
"Along the path of economic recovery in the region, there are also many
opportunities for Thailand and Vietnam to exploit their full potentials in
business and investment. Both sides can definitely do more to boost trade
and investment ties towards reinvigorating economic momentum in the region.
Through the mechanism of the Joint Commission for Economic Co-operation,
Thailand and Vietnam have succeeded in diversifying co-operative endeavours
to encompass multifaceted dimensions of trade, investment, technical, social
and cultural co-operation. There are currently more than 92 Thai investment
projects in Vietnam worth over US $1.2 billion."
He described Thailand and Vietnam's commemoration of the 25th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 6 this year as an
important milestone in the history of long and friendly relations between
the countries.
"In the last two decades, we have succeeded in minimising or clearing up any
lingering political defferences and begun to focus attention on crucial
avenues for development, growth and prosperity. At present, Thailand and
Vietnam enjoy a vibrant co-operative international relationship."
The diplomat added: "The commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations heralds the beginning of a new century
of co-operation between our two countries and peoples."
The firm foundation built up over the past 25 years will ensure that
Thailand is up to meeting challenges, and that the deep and amicable
co-operative ties between our two countries and peoples continue to flourish
in the years ahead, the Thai ambassador stressed. (VNA)
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Consultative Group to discuss institutional reform
The Consultative Group (CG) for Vietnam will convene its annual meeting in
Hanoi on December 7 and 8.
At the meeting, participants will discuss policy and institutional reform
plans and the need to speed up reform in the context of the global economic
slowdown of the past six months. They will also assess progress on the
design of the comprehensive poverty programme, growth strategy, and related
works on localising international development targets for Vietnam.
Other issues of discussion on the CG's agenda are new initiatives on
improving governance in Vietnam, the government's draft public investment
programme for the next five years, and solutions for effective use of ODA
sources.
Earlier, on December 3, the annual Vietnam Business Forum was held jointly
by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the World Bank (WB), and the
International Finance Corporation (IFC) for input into the CG meeting.
The forum, the fourth of its kind, sought measures to improve investment and
the business climate in Vietnam and increase the competitiveness of
Vietnamese business operations through direct dialogue between businesses,
government agencies, and donors.
At the forum, Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia asserted
that improving the investment environment will continue to be a key issue in
the Vietnamese government's plan of action. (VNA)
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