ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENTS BY MR. LE DZUNG, THE SPOKESMAN
 OF THE VIETNAMESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON 6th APRIL 2004

DPA and Thanh nien (Youth) newspaper: The Toledo Blade newspaper has won a Pulitzer prize for investigative reporting into atrocities committed by US troops during the war. What is Vietnam’s reaction to the newspaper winning the prestigious prize for this story?

Answer:

Barbarous killings of innocent Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers, including the incident uncovered by the Toledo Blade newspaper, are criminal acts, violating international law and causing public indignation. 

The prestigious press prize given to the Toledo Blade newspaper demonstrates that the American public has recognized the paper's contribution to investigating into and bringing to light crimes hidden for many years, helping bring about justice to the victims and prevent the recurrence of similar crimes in the future.

We always remember and share the sufferings and losses of our people and the massacre victims' families. The Vietnamese Government has been and is doing its utmost to relieve the pains suffered by the people in the locality.

Prompted by humane and peace-loving traditions, in our relations with the US as well as with other countries which once embraced hostility towards Vietnam, we advocate shelving the past, looking forward to the future and, through cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding, bettering bilateral relations and thereby forming foundation for the settlement of the war consequences .