Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press and Information Department

THE 7th REGULAR PRESS CONFERNCE
(Hanoi, July 10, 2008)
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I. ANNOUCEMENT
1. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem to participate in several activities of the UN Security Council (15-19 July 2008)
From 15 to 19 July 2008, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem will participate in several activities of the UN Security Council in New York.
He will chair the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) on 17 July. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is expected to attend the debate.
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem will meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the President of UN General Assembly and other leaders of the UN’s organizations and representatives from several countries.

2. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem to attend the 41st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) (20-25 July 2008)
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem will head the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 41st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC), East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers Consultation and the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held from 20 to 24 July 2008 in Singapore.

At these meetings, ASEAN Foreign Ministers and their dialogue partners will discuss directions and measures to meet the goal of an ASEAN Community, prepare for the ASEAN Charter to take effect, enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its outside partners and exchange views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern.

II. QUESTION AND ANSWER:
1. Akahata (Japan): Please advise information on the investigation process of the Pacific Consultants International (PCI)’s bribery to Vietnamese officials in ODA projects? What is Vietnam’s position on cooperation in this investigation?

Answer:

Vietnam’s position on fighting corruption is very consistent. The Party and State of Vietnam consider anti-corruption now an important task. All acts of corruption, i.e offering or receiving bribes are law violaton and will be handled by the law.
So far, we have not received any official information or any request from the Japanese side relating to this issue.

2. AP(USA): Why is Vietnam United Buddhist Church not allowed to attend the funeral of Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang? Is Thich Quang Do permitted to deliver a speech at the funeral?

Answer:

As I have reiterated many times, tn Vietnam, there is no organization under the name of “Vietnam United Buddhist Church”.
Founders of Nguyen Thieu Monastery, followers, friends and family of Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang organize his funeral in accordance with Buddhist ritulas and national traditions.
On this occasion, I officially reject the press realease by Human Rights Watch saying that the Vietnamese Government interferes in the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang’s funeral.
As a citizen and a Buddhist follower, Thich Quang Do is allowed to attend the funeral. Attending the funeral is within his rights.

3. DPA (Germany): Please provide Vietnam’s reaction to a press release by Human Rights Watch saying that the press is hindered from covering the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang’s funeral?

Answer:

Vietnamese and foreign correspondents are allowed to attend Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang’s funeral. As far as I know, many Hanoi- based foreign correspondents will attend and cover the funeral.