SPEECH
By H.E. Minister of
Foreign Affairs Nguyen Dy Nien
at the Meeting with US
Non-Governmental Organizations
(17 September
2002)
Thank you, John, for
taking me, Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat, Senior Minister Hor
Nam Hong away from our tight schedule at the UN. I am sure
my two colleagues here would be happy to share with you what is on our mind at
this moment of the hour.
Dear
friends,
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
My visit to the
U.S. this time coincides
with the first anniversary of the tragic September 11th event, which
gave rise to horror and outrage among all of us. On behalf of the Government and
people of Vietnam, I would like to take
this opportunity to once again extend our condolences to the American Government
and people, especially the families of the victims, for the tremendous losses
you have suffered. Vietnam has been working
closely with the U.S., both bilaterally and
multilaterally, to eliminate acts of terror from our daily life, and we remain
committed to these efforts.
Let me now talk of the
situation in Vietnam and recent developments
in Vietnam –
U.S. relations as John
McAuliff proposed.
First, the situation in
Vietnam. Our country has been
successful in maintaining political and socio-economic stability. In 2001, the
Vietnamese economy continued to enjoy a high growth of 6.8%. The people’s life
was significantly improved, while our poverty reduction policy yielded notable
results, which were widely recognized by the international community. In the
first six months of 2002, our GDP growth rate was estimated to reach 6.74%, and
we are currently doubling our efforts to accomplish the growth rate of 7-7.3%
for the whole year. Vietnam has also been seen as a
country with a good investment and business climate. Foreign direct investment
has rebounded in 2001, after several years of decline. At the Consultative Group
Meeting for Vietnam in
Hanoi last November,
countries and international organizations pledged to provide
Vietnam with US$ 2.4 billion of
ODA. In short, we have been able to build on the achievements recorded in
previous years and continued to improve the country’s socio-economic
situation.
The 11th
National Assembly of Vietnam, the first legislature in the 21st
century, has just concluded its first session. The new cabinet approved by the
National Assembly at its first session indicates
Vietnam’s continued commitment
to the renewal process. In this regard,
Vietnam is striving to step up
industrialization and modernization, and proactively engage the world in a bid
to turn the country into an industrialized one by the year 2020.
In the external field,
we will continue to pursue the foreign policy of independence, sovereignty,
multilateralization and diversification of
external relations. Vietnam is willing to be a
friend and reliable partner of all countries in the international community,
striving for peace, independence and development.
I am glad to say that
this policy has born fruits. To date,
Vietnam has established
relations of friendship and cooperation with almost all countries, and trade
ties with over 150 countries and territories in the world. We attach great
importance to our relationship with neighbouring countries and major powers.
Vietnam is also working hard to
enhance its role in international and regional organizations, which has been
highly valued by countries around the world.
In short, I can assure
you that Vietnam will continue to
pursue the policy that has led to
great successes during the last years.
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
I now wish to turn to
the recent developments in Vietnam –
U.S. relations.
The enactment of the
Bilateral Trade Agreement marks the full normalization of relations between our
two countries and opens up a new stage of development. It should be noted that
since the entry into force of the BTA last December, our bilateral relations
have been deepened and expanded to new fields. Some Vietnamese exports, such as
aqua-products and garment and textile, have increased significantly. According
to statistics, the two-way trade has grown by 50% since the enactment of the
BTA, bringing more choices with better quality to American consumers. about.
With time and tide, Vietnamese consumers and producers will also be able to
benefit from products of high quality imported from the
U.S.
The point I would like
to stress here is that potentials for our mutually beneficial cooperation are
enormous and should be tapped.
The political and diplomatic relations
between the two countries have been strengthened. The good cooperation is
recognized in many fields. The two countries have also worked closely with each
other in the fight against terrorism. Vietnam‘s efforts in this regard have been
highly appreciated by US leaders. Both sides are considering a framework for
long-term, stable and mutually beneficial cooperation. In general, encouraging
developments have been seen in our bilateral relations. I believe that close
cooperation and mutual respect will bring us to more successes in the
future.
Ladies and
gentlemen,
The Government and
people of Vietnam always treasure the
goodwill and valuable assistance of US NGOs extended to us. Hundreds of US NGOs
have been active in Vietnam even long before the lifting of the US embargo
against Vietnam and the normalization of relations between the two countries,
helping Vietnam with projects in poverty reduction, support to the disabled,
health care, education, humanitarian and emergency assistance. Improvement of
the bilateral relations has, in turn, helped facilitate the operation of NGOs.
We look forward to your continued active contribution to healing the wounds of
the war and promoting our bilateral relations. In this regard, I would like to
call on US NGOs to help victims of the Agent Orange. According to unofficial
statistics, at present, among over two million Vietnamese victims of the Agent
Orange, hundreds of thousands are struggling with deadly diseases including
cancer, mental disability and birth deformation. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese
children, who are offsprings of victims of Agent Orange, are disabled,
deformed, and mentally retarded.
Vietnam and the
US are working with each
other in conducting research programs on the impacts of the Agent Orange and
Dioxin. However, victims of the Agent Orange and Dioxin cannot wait for research
outcomes. They need material support to survive. The Vietnamese Government has
mobilized humanitarian assistance from domestic and external sources, including
the assistance by US NGOs, to assist the victims. In this connection, we welcome
and appreciate your contributions to the “Fund for Victims of the Agent Orange
in the Vietnam War” with the view to helping the victims.
Ladies and
gentlemen,
US NGOs were the first
envoys of the American people to Vietnam after the war with
worthy contribution made to the reconstruction of
Vietnam as well as the
promotion of our friendship and cooperation. At this get-together, on behalf of
the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to
express our sincere thanks to you all and your organizations for your invaluable
support extended to us in the past. It is our belief that you will continue to
show your goodwill and hearty feelings towards the promotion of mutual
understanding between our two peoples and our bilateral relations in the future.
I thank you for your
time and patience. I am now open to your questions.