At the invitation of President Tran Duc Luong, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from March 16-18, 2006.

This first official visit to Viet Nam by King Norodom Sihamoni as the new King of Cambodia bears great significance, marking a new milestone in the bilateral relations. The visit aims to step up mutual efforts in strengthening the fine traditional friendship and good neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, and consolidating the trustful and close ties between the leaders. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral and international issues of mutual concern.

During the visit, King Norodom Sihamoni will hold talks with President Tran Duc Luong, meet General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. He will also visit Ha Long Bay and several cultural establishments in Hanoi.

At the invitation of Vice President Truong My Hoa, Crown Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah of Brunei will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 20-23, 2006. This is the first official visit to the country by the Crown Prince.

The visit is aimed at enhancing the relationship between Vietnamese leaders and Brunei Royal family, promoting the bilateral friendship and cooperation, exchanging opinion on cooperative measures in trade, investment, education and training, security and defense and sports.

At the invitation of Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao will lead a Vietnamese delegation to visit South Africa from March 10-16, 2006. Accompanying him are many Vietnamese businessmen.

The visit is to exchange ideas on measures to strengthen the multisided cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa and exchange of experience between the Vietnamese Government Office and the South African Presidency, boost the bilateral cooperation in economic and trade areas.

Bloomberg: Please confirm that the meeting of the Vietnam Accession Working Party to the WTO has been scheduled for this month in Geneva? What are the key multilateral issues that must now be resolved?

Answer: It is expected that the multilateral negotiations on Vietnam's accession to the WTO will take place in late March 2006 in Geneva. Vietnam is actively preparing for this round. At the meeting, Vietnam will work together with the Vietnam Accession Working Party to the WTO to review and finalize the Draft Report on Vietnam's accession to the WTO.

We are hopeful that given outstanding efforts by Vietnam and our partners' flexibility, good will and cooperation, Vietnam will reach an agreement to conclude negotiations on Vietnam’s accession to the WTO in the soonest possible time.

Question: Please confirm news reports quoting an official from Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (KEIDANREN) as saying: On March 1, 2006, President Tran Duc Luong, at his meeting with Keidanren President Hiroshi Okuda, apologized for a series of recent disputes between workers and managers in several Japanese companies in Vietnam.

Answer: Based on information provided by a Keidanren official, reports by some foreign news agencies quoting President Tran Duc Luong statement during his meeting with a delegation of Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (KEIDANREN) on March 1, 2006 are totally untrue.

At the meeting, President Tran Duc Luong said: The Vietnamese Party, State and Government always pay attention and listen to opinions raised by the people and businesses including foreign businesses so as to improve our policies on economic developments and raise living standards of the people, both materially and spiritually. Regarding matters lately emerged at some enterprises, President Tran Duc Luong confirmed that "recent strikes are mainly caused by unsatisfactory solutions to issues of the workers' interests" and that "these issues will be resolved satisfactorily given the tripartite cooperation, namely the Government, enterprises and the workers."

Question: Please provide Vietnam's reaction to the 2005 Human Rights Report released by the US Department of State which says "Vietnam human rights record remains unsatisfactory".

Answer:

The 2005 Human Rights Report of the US Department of State made many erroneous and prejudiced comments on human rights in Vietnam, citing unilateral and distorted information that failed to reflect the reality in Vietnam. We therefore absolutely reject those wrongful comments.

Over the years, Vietnam has made great efforts to enable the Vietnamese people to enjoy better and greater civil rights, which is highly appreciated inside and outside Vietnam. The Vietnamese are increasingly participating in governance of society and voicing their will and aspiration in matters related to major events of the country. This is illustrated by the fact that Vietnamese people from all walks of life throughout the country and in other countries are contributing their comments to the draft reports of the Tenth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, an important social-political event of the country.

Vietnam respects and protects citizens’ right to freedom of belief and religion, and the right to freedom of non-belief and non religion. Numerous legal regulations have been introduced, facilitating belief and religion activities. In Vietnam there is no religious repression or ethnic discrimination. No one is detained for having different political views or for religious reasons. Only violators of laws are dealt with in accordance with legal regulations.

As a result of difference in political systems, development levels, history and culture, there exist different views and approach towards human rights among countries, including Vietnam and USA. It is unacceptable for one country to impose its view and approach on other countries.

As agreed by the leaders of the two countries on "developing constructive partnership, friendship and multi-faceted cooperation of equality, mutual respect and benefit" and "continuing frank and open dialogue on matters of mutual concern", the two countries have resumed dialogue on human rights between the two foreign ministries.

We hope that through contacts and dialogues, the two sides will obtain greater understanding and bridge the gap in religious and human rights issues, contributing to promotion of relations in line with the two peoples' interest./.