TAMPA, Fla., May 26 - Special operations forces from the United States and Vietnam are signaling a readiness to start forging ties should their governments choose to do so, in what would be a major step in relations between militaries that were at war 4-1/2 decades ago. TAMPA, Fla., May 26 - Special operations forces from the United States and Vietnam are signaling a readiness to start forging ties should their governments choose to do so, in what would be a major step in relations between militaries that were at war 4-1/2 decades ago. Rear Admiral Colin Kilrain, who leads U.S. Special Operations Forces in the Asia-Pacific region, told Reuters in an interview that he met the commander from Vietnam's elite forces on the sidelines of a conference in Tampa, Florida, this week. "Both of us would like to deepen the relationship but we're also very mindful that we go at the pace of what our governments want to do," Kilrain said, disclosing the details of the meeting. The talks, which … [Read more...] about As ties deepen, elite U.S., Vietnam forces eye possible opening
Vietnam conflict
Vietnam attends UN General Assembly meeting on oceans and law of sea
She made the remark at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly’s 72nd session which convened in New York on December 5 to discuss item 77 on the UN agenda regarding oceans and the law of the sea.Nga urged countries involved to respect and implement their duties to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable development of oceans and marine resources for benefits of people worldwide, including future generations. Photo for illustration Concerning the East Sea issue, the diplomat said Vietnam calls on parties involved to refrain themselves and resettle conflicts by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, to respect diplomatic and legal processes, and to continue their full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam welcomes the adoption of the framework for a code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea of ASEAN and China, Nga noted, suggesting the sides soon negotiate to build a … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends UN General Assembly meeting on oceans and law of sea
Workshop marks 60 years of Vietnam’s ratification of 1949 Geneva Conventions
The Foreign Ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) held a workshop in Hanoi on December 5 to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam’s ratification of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 on international humanitarian law (IHL).Beat Schweizer, head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Bangkok, speaks at the workshop on December 5Nguyen Minh Vu, Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, emphasised that Vietnam’s ratification of the 1949 Geneva Conventions was an important milestone demonstrating the country’s respect and promotion of the enforcement of the IHL in particular and international law in general.At present, changes in the forms of armed conflicts and the strong development of science-technology, including the development of tools and weapons used in war, are posing substantial challenges to the interpretation and application of regulations of these conventions, which were drafted in the 19th century.Therefore, the workshop also provides a … [Read more...] about Workshop marks 60 years of Vietnam’s ratification of 1949 Geneva Conventions
The driver taking the rap for Vietnam’s toll station protest
Phuong drives a van for a travel company, and his wife works at a factory. With a combined income of VND14 million ($610) a month, they have managed to put two children through college.After 22 years of marriage, the couple still live in a rented house in Binh Duong, an industrial province outside Saigon.To Phuong, nothing really stood out about his 26 years as a driver until he was featured widely in local newspapers last Thursday. He was pictured being grabbed by the armpits and taken away by two police officers at a toll station in Tien Giang Province.The toll station drama started months ago.Phuong was driving past a gas station in the southern province on August 3 when he saw a charity box full of change, so he asked the woman in charge of the station to exchange the notes.He used the stack of change to pay the highway toll fee, becoming one of the first drivers to use the method to vent his indignation against what they believe is an “unfair” levy.The toll station was … [Read more...] about The driver taking the rap for Vietnam’s toll station protest
Vietnam attaches importance to promoting cultural diversity
Speaking at the High-Level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity at the UN headquarters in New York on December 1 (Vietnam time), Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, welcomed and supported the adoption of the Political Declaration and Action Programme of the NAM on human rights and cultural diversity. She stressed the need to continue treasuring the NAM’s fundamental values of solidarity, tolerance, dialogue and cooperation. She affirmed that Vietnam backs constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and no interference in internal affairs of sovereign countries. It is necessary to have a balanced and comprehensive approach to fostering and ensuring human rights, she said, adding that economic, cultural and social rights should be respected as political and civil rights, with regards to development level, history and specific features of each nation. In his opening … [Read more...] about Vietnam attaches importance to promoting cultural diversity