VietNamNet - French President Jacques Chirac will pay an official visit to Vietnam before the fifth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM5), the first counsellor of the French Embassy in Hanoi Eric Berti announced.
During this visit, he will sign around 16 projects, including one to build a tramcar route in Hanoi, a postgraduate training project, an archive centre project, one to establish the French Studies University in 2005, and an urban illumination project in HCM City.
According to Mr Berti, the two sides will discuss many issues during this visit. France is especially interested in developing multilateral relations and supporting Vietnam to run for the post of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2008.
Around 20 representatives of major firms will follow the French President to seek business opportunities in Vietnam.
This is the second visit by Mr Jacques Chirac to Vietnam.
Full Version: French President To Pay Official Visit
I suppose this thread went dead, because no one actually cares about the french president eh..lolz. But anyway, he should be enjoying some exotic Pho
Last updated: 16:30 - October 5, 2004
Vietnam: a key partner for France in 21st century
French President : who said Phở ? 
President Jacques Chirac has affirmed that Vietnam is a key partner for France in the 21st century in an exclusive interview granted to Vietnam News Agency prior to arriving in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam this week. Following is the full text of the interview:
Q: How do you view Franco-Vietnamese friendship and co-operation in recent years, and their outlook for the future?
A: On the eve of my second State visit to Hanoi, I would like to emphasise the special place Vietnam occupies in the hearts of the French people. Historically, relations between our two countries have been very close, and it is for us today to make them more fertile still. Our co-operative activities are confident, intense, and regular, natural even. For more than ten years now, France has supported Vietnam in its efforts to integrate into the international community and its regional environment. It will continue to do so, both as regards Vietnam’s dialogue with the European Union and in regard to its accession to the World Trade Organisation, which we hope will take place before long.
During the past twelve months we have exchanged seven ministerial-level delegations. This is a practical outcome of the success of President Tran Duc Luong’s visit to Paris in October 2002. Our contacts at government level have given rise to several parliamentary visits, six missions in 2003, and to exceptionally vigorous co-operation between our towns and cities, departments, and regions. Sixty French territorial authorities are currently active in Vietnam. The presence in France of a sizable community of Vietnamese origin brings an irreplaceable breath of dynamism and understanding to our relationship. That gives some idea of the breadth and depth of the human ties that bind us.
France is concerned to give its full support to Vietnam’s reforms and to its economic and social development. Today, it is Vietnam’s leading Western partner. Over the past ten years, trade between us has grown threefold, and our imports fourfold. French firms, both major industrial groups as well as small and medium-sized businesses, are confident in the future of the country and in the pursuit of its reforms, particularly the consolidation of the rule of law. They have invested more than 2.4 billion euros here. The French government has put its weight behind this process, making France the second largest bilateral donor to Vietnam.
Vietnam is a key partner for France in the 21st century. I am convinced that it has the potential to become one of the world’s economic powerhouses tomorrow. Together, we are implementing a strategy to enable it, through France, to ease its access to the European market and the French-speaking world, while France will count on Vietnam to open up doors for it in Asia.
France shares the aspirations of Vietnam. In partnering its development, it is giving its full support to its urban development policies in the Central region, with the construction of the tramway in Hanoi, and with the modernisation of its public lighting in Ho Chi Minh City. Conscious of the vital importance of training for the youth of Vietnam, France has made education a priority of its co-operation policy. France is determined to remain a point of reference for the training of Vietnam’s elites. We plan to create French university centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as part of the International University of Vietnam.
We also plan to pursue our efforts to offer places in France to high caliber students. For it is our belief that access to high quality scientific training for the youth of Vietnam will, in the future, contribute to the development of our co-operation in very high-tech sectors such as satellites and civil nuclear power, areas in which France possesses universally recognised capabilities in both institutional and the industrial terms.
Q: What do you think Vietnam and France should be doing to raise their profile in promoting relations between Asia and Europe in the political, economic and cultural spheres, and in bringing civilisations closer together?
A: The combined efforts of Vietnam and France in preparing this 5th Asia-Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government (ASEM) exemplify what these two countries can do together to overcome obstacles and give substance to this vital dialogue between Asia and Europe.
Because we have learned to speak to one another again and reach an understanding, casting aside the burden of the past, and because we are an example of reconciliation, our countries have a special legitimacy in sending a message of peace, of co-operation and fraternity to the world. Dialogue between cultures and civilisations is not an abstract concept for our countries, but an everyday reality.
Vietnam and France, after all, share an implacable attachment to their identity, to their culture, to their historical heritage, and in particular to the language we have in common; I welcome in that regard Vietnam’s attachment to Francophony. The strengthening of regional co-operation programmes even outside Asia, in particular the development projects in the health sector which we are launching for West Africa, are evidence of the way in which we are reaching out in common to the world at large.
Q: Since France is one of the standard-bearers among the nations driving East-West cultural exchanges, could you describe France’s priorities in this process, in general, and in cultural exchanges between France and Vietnam in particular?
A: France places a very high priority on cultural exchanges between the continents, and most particularly between Europe and Asia. This is a process of mutual enrichment and discovery, but it is also a question of tolerating our differences while respecting the universal values enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights. In that respect, we have launched a wide range of programmes to showcase the unjustly neglected treasures of our partners. The exhibition of medieval Vietnamese sculpture from the Champa era, to be held in Paris in 2006, will be a quite exceptional event. Also, we will be devoting considerable resources over the next three years to showcasing the collections of the five main museums of Vietnam, in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Dak Lak.
Promoting exchanges between artists and cultural professionals is just as important. That is why I want to see these relations intensified. We cannot, in this context, allow cultural goods and services to be treated as mere merchandise.
Safeguarding cultural diversity is a crucial issue, which justifies special treatment for cultural goods and services within the World Trade Organisation. On that point, France reaffirms the right of the States and governments signatories to the Beirut Declaration of Francophone States freely to define their cultural policy and the instruments whereby they implement it.
So our priority is not only to sustain dialogue between cultures by promoting artistic exchanges, but also to safeguard cultural diversity. We are determined to ensure that these positions prevail in the various international forums, and we welcome the work accomplished by Vietnam, within both the Francophone community and UNESCO, in bringing the draft Convention on Cultural Diversity to fruition.
Regarding cultural exchanges between France and Vietnam, they are part and parcel of a long history of mutual fascination. They cover all areas of artistic creation, as witnessed by the success of the Hue Festival over many years, with support from the French regions of Nord Pas-de-Calais and Poitou-Charentes. Theatre, music (with the support given to the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra), dance, the visual arts with the Arles School of Photography and the training programme for performing arts technicians due to begin in 2005… all these projects are occupying us.
The inauguration of L’Espace—the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi—in Autumn 2003, and the showcasing of the audiovisual and photographic collections of the IDECAF (Institute for Cultural Exchanges with France) in Ho Chi Minh City, are opening up vast new possibilities for relations between us. They will give greater visibility to co-operation between us, among both the general and specialised publics.
Q: Returning to Vietnam this time, what message would you like to send to the Vietnamese people?
A: First of all, I’d like to tell the Vietnamese people what a pleasure it is for me to return to the land of Vietnam, which is dear to me, and to convey to them my very warmest wishes. I want to convey to them my determination to continue making Vietnam a priority for France, especially in the area of co-operation. Finally, one reason why the relationship between Vietnam and France is so special is because the legacy of history combines with our hopes and confidence for the future and the heart.
========
Find all related information in English, French, and Vietnamese
Vietnam: a key partner for France in 21st century
French President : who said Phở ? President Jacques Chirac has affirmed that Vietnam is a key partner for France in the 21st century in an exclusive interview granted to Vietnam News Agency prior to arriving in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam this week. Following is the full text of the interview:
Q: How do you view Franco-Vietnamese friendship and co-operation in recent years, and their outlook for the future?
A: On the eve of my second State visit to Hanoi, I would like to emphasise the special place Vietnam occupies in the hearts of the French people. Historically, relations between our two countries have been very close, and it is for us today to make them more fertile still. Our co-operative activities are confident, intense, and regular, natural even. For more than ten years now, France has supported Vietnam in its efforts to integrate into the international community and its regional environment. It will continue to do so, both as regards Vietnam’s dialogue with the European Union and in regard to its accession to the World Trade Organisation, which we hope will take place before long.
During the past twelve months we have exchanged seven ministerial-level delegations. This is a practical outcome of the success of President Tran Duc Luong’s visit to Paris in October 2002. Our contacts at government level have given rise to several parliamentary visits, six missions in 2003, and to exceptionally vigorous co-operation between our towns and cities, departments, and regions. Sixty French territorial authorities are currently active in Vietnam. The presence in France of a sizable community of Vietnamese origin brings an irreplaceable breath of dynamism and understanding to our relationship. That gives some idea of the breadth and depth of the human ties that bind us.
France is concerned to give its full support to Vietnam’s reforms and to its economic and social development. Today, it is Vietnam’s leading Western partner. Over the past ten years, trade between us has grown threefold, and our imports fourfold. French firms, both major industrial groups as well as small and medium-sized businesses, are confident in the future of the country and in the pursuit of its reforms, particularly the consolidation of the rule of law. They have invested more than 2.4 billion euros here. The French government has put its weight behind this process, making France the second largest bilateral donor to Vietnam.
Vietnam is a key partner for France in the 21st century. I am convinced that it has the potential to become one of the world’s economic powerhouses tomorrow. Together, we are implementing a strategy to enable it, through France, to ease its access to the European market and the French-speaking world, while France will count on Vietnam to open up doors for it in Asia.
France shares the aspirations of Vietnam. In partnering its development, it is giving its full support to its urban development policies in the Central region, with the construction of the tramway in Hanoi, and with the modernisation of its public lighting in Ho Chi Minh City. Conscious of the vital importance of training for the youth of Vietnam, France has made education a priority of its co-operation policy. France is determined to remain a point of reference for the training of Vietnam’s elites. We plan to create French university centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as part of the International University of Vietnam.
We also plan to pursue our efforts to offer places in France to high caliber students. For it is our belief that access to high quality scientific training for the youth of Vietnam will, in the future, contribute to the development of our co-operation in very high-tech sectors such as satellites and civil nuclear power, areas in which France possesses universally recognised capabilities in both institutional and the industrial terms.
Q: What do you think Vietnam and France should be doing to raise their profile in promoting relations between Asia and Europe in the political, economic and cultural spheres, and in bringing civilisations closer together?
A: The combined efforts of Vietnam and France in preparing this 5th Asia-Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government (ASEM) exemplify what these two countries can do together to overcome obstacles and give substance to this vital dialogue between Asia and Europe.
Because we have learned to speak to one another again and reach an understanding, casting aside the burden of the past, and because we are an example of reconciliation, our countries have a special legitimacy in sending a message of peace, of co-operation and fraternity to the world. Dialogue between cultures and civilisations is not an abstract concept for our countries, but an everyday reality.
Vietnam and France, after all, share an implacable attachment to their identity, to their culture, to their historical heritage, and in particular to the language we have in common; I welcome in that regard Vietnam’s attachment to Francophony. The strengthening of regional co-operation programmes even outside Asia, in particular the development projects in the health sector which we are launching for West Africa, are evidence of the way in which we are reaching out in common to the world at large.
Q: Since France is one of the standard-bearers among the nations driving East-West cultural exchanges, could you describe France’s priorities in this process, in general, and in cultural exchanges between France and Vietnam in particular?
A: France places a very high priority on cultural exchanges between the continents, and most particularly between Europe and Asia. This is a process of mutual enrichment and discovery, but it is also a question of tolerating our differences while respecting the universal values enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights. In that respect, we have launched a wide range of programmes to showcase the unjustly neglected treasures of our partners. The exhibition of medieval Vietnamese sculpture from the Champa era, to be held in Paris in 2006, will be a quite exceptional event. Also, we will be devoting considerable resources over the next three years to showcasing the collections of the five main museums of Vietnam, in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Dak Lak.
Promoting exchanges between artists and cultural professionals is just as important. That is why I want to see these relations intensified. We cannot, in this context, allow cultural goods and services to be treated as mere merchandise.
Safeguarding cultural diversity is a crucial issue, which justifies special treatment for cultural goods and services within the World Trade Organisation. On that point, France reaffirms the right of the States and governments signatories to the Beirut Declaration of Francophone States freely to define their cultural policy and the instruments whereby they implement it.
So our priority is not only to sustain dialogue between cultures by promoting artistic exchanges, but also to safeguard cultural diversity. We are determined to ensure that these positions prevail in the various international forums, and we welcome the work accomplished by Vietnam, within both the Francophone community and UNESCO, in bringing the draft Convention on Cultural Diversity to fruition.
Regarding cultural exchanges between France and Vietnam, they are part and parcel of a long history of mutual fascination. They cover all areas of artistic creation, as witnessed by the success of the Hue Festival over many years, with support from the French regions of Nord Pas-de-Calais and Poitou-Charentes. Theatre, music (with the support given to the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra), dance, the visual arts with the Arles School of Photography and the training programme for performing arts technicians due to begin in 2005… all these projects are occupying us.
The inauguration of L’Espace—the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi—in Autumn 2003, and the showcasing of the audiovisual and photographic collections of the IDECAF (Institute for Cultural Exchanges with France) in Ho Chi Minh City, are opening up vast new possibilities for relations between us. They will give greater visibility to co-operation between us, among both the general and specialised publics.
Q: Returning to Vietnam this time, what message would you like to send to the Vietnamese people?
A: First of all, I’d like to tell the Vietnamese people what a pleasure it is for me to return to the land of Vietnam, which is dear to me, and to convey to them my very warmest wishes. I want to convey to them my determination to continue making Vietnam a priority for France, especially in the area of co-operation. Finally, one reason why the relationship between Vietnam and France is so special is because the legacy of history combines with our hopes and confidence for the future and the heart.
QUOTE
HANOI, Sept. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac will pay his second official visit to Vietnam on Oct. 6 before attending the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5) on Oct. 7-8, according to diplomatic sources on Friday.
The French president will discuss with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Duc Luong a number of issues, including measures to beef up bilateral and multilateral ties, and French's support for Vietnam's entry to the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Security Council as a non-standing member in the 2008-2009term.
During Chirac's visit, Vietnam and France will sign some 16 documents, mostly involving projects on education and infrastructure, an official from the French Embassy in Hanoi said on condition of anonymity, noting that the French president will be accompanied by around 20 businesses.
Among the projects, some involve the establishment of a Frenchlanguage university and an archives system, the construction of a metro route in the capital of Hanoi, the upgrading of urban lighting systems in Ho Chi Minh City, the official added.
France is now Vietnam's leading partner in development cooperation and many socioeconomic fields, including trade, investment, health, education and tourism. During his talks with Chirac in France in October 2002, Luong said that Vietnam wanted closer economic ties with France, especially in the fields of transport, telecommunications, electricity, food processing and pharmaceutics.
With annual commitment of 130 million US dollars worth of official development assistance (ODA), France is the leading ODA provider among European countries to Vietnam. By late last month, it had ranked the 7th among foreign investors in Vietnam with 139 projects totaling over 2.1 billion dollars.
Chirac made his first official visit to Vietnam in November 1997. After attending the ASEM 5 along with leaders from 15 European Union member states, the European Commission and 10 Asiancountries, he will visit China. Enditem
The French president will discuss with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Duc Luong a number of issues, including measures to beef up bilateral and multilateral ties, and French's support for Vietnam's entry to the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Security Council as a non-standing member in the 2008-2009term.
During Chirac's visit, Vietnam and France will sign some 16 documents, mostly involving projects on education and infrastructure, an official from the French Embassy in Hanoi said on condition of anonymity, noting that the French president will be accompanied by around 20 businesses.
Among the projects, some involve the establishment of a Frenchlanguage university and an archives system, the construction of a metro route in the capital of Hanoi, the upgrading of urban lighting systems in Ho Chi Minh City, the official added.
France is now Vietnam's leading partner in development cooperation and many socioeconomic fields, including trade, investment, health, education and tourism. During his talks with Chirac in France in October 2002, Luong said that Vietnam wanted closer economic ties with France, especially in the fields of transport, telecommunications, electricity, food processing and pharmaceutics.
With annual commitment of 130 million US dollars worth of official development assistance (ODA), France is the leading ODA provider among European countries to Vietnam. By late last month, it had ranked the 7th among foreign investors in Vietnam with 139 projects totaling over 2.1 billion dollars.
Chirac made his first official visit to Vietnam in November 1997. After attending the ASEM 5 along with leaders from 15 European Union member states, the European Commission and 10 Asiancountries, he will visit China. Enditem
========
Find all related information in English, French, and Vietnamese
Another coward commie goes visit leaders of most repressive regime on earth. Damn!!!
I hope he would say something for the Montagnar people. But I bet you he wouldn't dare go near Dien Bien Phu.
In the mean time in the US, no French wine and champagne please , merci beaucoup...
I hope he would say something for the Montagnar people. But I bet you he wouldn't dare go near Dien Bien Phu.
In the mean time in the US, no French wine and champagne please , merci beaucoup...
QUOTE (VietNamDNCongHoa @ Oct 5 2004, 12:50 PM)
Another coward commie goes visit leaders of most repressive regime on earth. Damn!!!
I hope he would say something for the Montagnar people. But I bet you he wouldn't dare go near Dien Bien Phu.
In the mean time in the US, no French wine and champagne please , merci beaucoup...
I hope he would say something for the Montagnar people. But I bet you he wouldn't dare go near Dien Bien Phu.
In the mean time in the US, no French wine and champagne please , merci beaucoup...
Sex tourism and Mafia education doesn't help you! Is it education at all?
It's really a tradition in your family to be stupid? President Jacques Chirac is a pure right-wing Gaullist.
EDIT:and indeed, he and his ministers - same as the UN Secretary General - have said a lot to the representatives of the democracy of fake-morality and true-lies, that is, GW Bush and his administration...
It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe. 
QUOTE (herosword @ Oct 5 2004, 07:58 AM)
It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe.
Chirac is the ultimate BUTT kisser esp. for the few Communist leaders of today. In this day and age of the shrinking French influence in the world, Chirac has unfortuntately succumb to butt kissing the Chinese leaders. Lighting up the Eiffel tower Red and labelling it "the year of the China" or something similar for France just oozes out saying "I am sucking ur butt now give us ur market" to China.
To make things worse, Chirac openly criticises a FREE Taiwan and opposes it from independance PLUS totally ignores China's inhumane human rights records. So how low can Chirac go I hear u asking, even LOWERRRRRRRR by (with the fat doode of Germany) starting to rethink the EU and its ban on selling nuclear arms to China.
Of course, Chirac now has done the butt kissing and got some returns Alcatel sold off its loss incurring mobile division in China and won the damn contract for the train from Beijing to Shanghai (TCV). Now we see Chirac and a bunch of 50 top French businessmen in Shanghai doing business...ahhh how low can you possibly go to earn a few bucks these days.
QUOTE (fujisan_8 @ Oct 5 2004, 08:34 AM)
QUOTE (herosword @ Oct 5 2004, 07:58 AM)
It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe.
Chirac is the ultimate BUTT kisser esp. for the few Communist leaders of today. In this day and age of the shrinking French influence in the world, Chirac has unfortuntately succumb to butt kissing the Chinese leaders. Lighting up the Eiffel tower Red and labelling it "the year of the China" or something similar for France just oozes out saying "I am sucking ur butt now give us ur market" to China.
To make things worse, Chirac openly criticises a FREE Taiwan and opposes it from independance PLUS totally ignores China's inhumane human rights records. So how low can Chirac go I hear u asking, even LOWERRRRRRRR by (with the fat doode of Germany) starting to rethink the EU and its ban on selling nuclear arms to China.
Of course, Chirac now has done the butt kissing and got some returns Alcatel sold off its loss incurring mobile division in China and won the damn contract for the train from Beijing to Shanghai (TCV). Now we see Chirac and a bunch of 50 top French businessmen in Shanghai doing business...ahhh how low can you possibly go to earn a few bucks these days.
Some members of the assemblee nationale, the french parliement refused to assist to the speech of Hun jintao. And even some of them demonstrate for the respect of human rights in china.
QUOTE
It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe
It's clear that you don't know european politics. Can you tell me why do you considers him as left wing?
[quote]It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe[/quote]
It's clear that you don't know european politics. Can you tell me why do you considers him as left wing?
[/quote]
He's what we called "Cong San Nam Vung.
It's clear that you don't know european politics. Can you tell me why do you considers him as left wing?
[/quote]
He's what we called "Cong San Nam Vung.
Who cares. He's French. I don't even see why the Vietnamese are even letting him visit..
^ Yeah, he should not allow to visit. Hehe... That would teach him a lesson. Look at what his country'd done to Vietnam. We are now ended up with Chu Quoc Ngu and biere 33.
Hey hey Si Fu. Watcha mouth. I don't want to have an unpolite Si Fu. Make me proud of you please. This is not a good way to teach your student.
By the way, Sex, Mafia would help you more than me. It's to deal with your empty threat "war criminal daddy."
QUOTE
Sex tourism and Mafia education doesn't help you! Is it education at all?
It's really a tradition in your family to be stupid? President Jacques Chirac is a pure right-wing
EDIT:and indeed, he and his ministers - same as the UN Secretary General - have said a lot to the representatives of the democracy of fake-morality and true-lies, that is, GW Bush and his administration...
It's really a tradition in your family to be stupid? President Jacques Chirac is a pure right-wing
EDIT:and indeed, he and his ministers - same as the UN Secretary General - have said a lot to the representatives of the democracy of fake-morality and true-lies, that is, GW Bush and his administration...
Hey hey Si Fu. Watcha mouth. I don't want to have an unpolite Si Fu. Make me proud of you please. This is not a good way to teach your student.
By the way, Sex, Mafia would help you more than me. It's to deal with your empty threat "war criminal daddy."
French President to skip SPDC welcome party at ASEM in Hanoi
French President Jacques Chirac will not attend a ceremony welcoming delegates of Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to an Asia-EU summit in Vietnam on 7 October.
French officials are concerned that the attendance of the ceremony might imply the president welcomes the junta which has been committing human rights abuses.
Chirac's spokesman, Jerome Bonnafont said the president, in stead, would be inspecting an archaeological site over a former imperial city in the centre of the country.
Mr. Chirac is said to be close to the French oil company TOTAL which has been operating in Burma and he is one of the EU leaders who urge against imposition of economic sanctions on the junta, and his latest action could hurt the SPDC diplomatically, according to observers.
Meanwhile, the main critic of the junta, United Kingdom sent a team of junior diplomats to the HQs of National League for Democracy (NLD) in Rangoon to discuss the position of the NLD on the forthcoming summit and current political situation in Burma.
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is to take place on 8 and 9 October in Hanoi and it is to be attended by 25 EU countries and 10 members of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with Japan, China and South Korea.
According to diplomats, they are expected to discuss economic ties between the two continents but the issue of Burma’s junta’s human rights violations would inevitably affect the discussions.
DVB : 4 October 2004
French President Jacques Chirac will not attend a ceremony welcoming delegates of Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to an Asia-EU summit in Vietnam on 7 October.
French officials are concerned that the attendance of the ceremony might imply the president welcomes the junta which has been committing human rights abuses.
Chirac's spokesman, Jerome Bonnafont said the president, in stead, would be inspecting an archaeological site over a former imperial city in the centre of the country.
Mr. Chirac is said to be close to the French oil company TOTAL which has been operating in Burma and he is one of the EU leaders who urge against imposition of economic sanctions on the junta, and his latest action could hurt the SPDC diplomatically, according to observers.
Meanwhile, the main critic of the junta, United Kingdom sent a team of junior diplomats to the HQs of National League for Democracy (NLD) in Rangoon to discuss the position of the NLD on the forthcoming summit and current political situation in Burma.
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is to take place on 8 and 9 October in Hanoi and it is to be attended by 25 EU countries and 10 members of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with Japan, China and South Korea.
According to diplomats, they are expected to discuss economic ties between the two continents but the issue of Burma’s junta’s human rights violations would inevitably affect the discussions.
DVB : 4 October 2004
^What's the different between Burnma junta and Vietnam communist "junta." Aren't they the same?
Wow, Now I know Mr. Chirac is also a French commie lover hypocrit. The US had spent billions to help his country got back on its feet and then he turned his back on us... Non non non...No matter how hard you try. No Channel #5 on US either, mon ami monsieur Chirac.
Wow, Now I know Mr. Chirac is also a French commie lover hypocrit. The US had spent billions to help his country got back on its feet and then he turned his back on us... Non non non...No matter how hard you try. No Channel #5 on US either, mon ami monsieur Chirac.
Made me him go paying respect to the soldiers who fought for vietnam independence
Hanoi confident on Asem summit security
HANOI (dpa) - Vietnam is confident that the upcoming Asia Europe Meeting (Asem due to be held next week in Hanoi will be safe and secure, the country's deputy prime minister told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Sunday morning.
"The situation is now very safe," Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said, after watching an anti-terrorism training exercise involving 1,500 members of the army, police force and emergency services.
The mock hostage-taking exercise was the latest dress rehearsal in Vietnam's preparations for the upcoming 2-day Asem 5 summit on Friday and Saturday, when 38 high-level delegations from Asia and Europe are expected to descend on Hanoi.
With "hostages" leaping from third-floor windows into air bags, bomb disposal experts, water cannon, mock dead bodies and hundreds of heavily armed soldiers, the exercise was intended to showcase Vietnam's security capabilities.
"I am sure that our forces will improve the situation in order to guarantee any situation," Khoan said.
The deputy head of Hanoi police was equally confident that his forces will be able to deal with security during the high-level summit.
"We have worked out different security plans anticipating different situations, including terrorist attacks," said Nguyen Duc Nhanh, deputy head of Hanoi police. "With all the plans we have worked out and prepared, I can confirm that we are able to assure the security of Asem 5."
Hanoi's entire police office will be on duty for the duration of the summit, Nhanh told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
"In terms of personnel, we have mobilised every one of our staff in the Hanoi force," the deputy police chief said. "They have been thoroughly trained and had rehearsals of different situations."
Leaders including Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and France's President Jacques Chirac are expected to attend the summit.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/asem/intro/
Terrorism among key topics at Asem
HANOI - Asian and European leaders gather in Hanoi this week for an inter-regional summit where terrorism, tension on the Korean peninsula and the political situation in Myanmar are likely to take centre stage.
The continuing instability in Iraq and the threat of weapons of mass destruction are also expected to dominate the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), which opens on Friday.
'European and Asian leaders are confident this summit will identify ways to reinforce effective multilateralism in the face of current regional and global challenges,' said Mr Markus Cornaro, head of the European Commission's delegation to Vietnam.
This fifth edition of the biennial summit is an informal gathering of leaders of 39 nations from the European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, China, and South Korea. It welcomes for the first time the 10 new members of the European Union as well as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
More than 1,000 delegates from 25 European and 13 Asian countries will be attending.
======
Of course, they are scared of the "AF Viet Terrorists coalition forces" !!!
2
EDIT: Side news:
HANOI (dpa) - Vietnam is confident that the upcoming Asia Europe Meeting (Asem due to be held next week in Hanoi will be safe and secure, the country's deputy prime minister told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Sunday morning.
"The situation is now very safe," Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said, after watching an anti-terrorism training exercise involving 1,500 members of the army, police force and emergency services.
The mock hostage-taking exercise was the latest dress rehearsal in Vietnam's preparations for the upcoming 2-day Asem 5 summit on Friday and Saturday, when 38 high-level delegations from Asia and Europe are expected to descend on Hanoi.
With "hostages" leaping from third-floor windows into air bags, bomb disposal experts, water cannon, mock dead bodies and hundreds of heavily armed soldiers, the exercise was intended to showcase Vietnam's security capabilities.
"I am sure that our forces will improve the situation in order to guarantee any situation," Khoan said.
The deputy head of Hanoi police was equally confident that his forces will be able to deal with security during the high-level summit.
"We have worked out different security plans anticipating different situations, including terrorist attacks," said Nguyen Duc Nhanh, deputy head of Hanoi police. "With all the plans we have worked out and prepared, I can confirm that we are able to assure the security of Asem 5."
Hanoi's entire police office will be on duty for the duration of the summit, Nhanh told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
"In terms of personnel, we have mobilised every one of our staff in the Hanoi force," the deputy police chief said. "They have been thoroughly trained and had rehearsals of different situations."
Leaders including Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and France's President Jacques Chirac are expected to attend the summit.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/asem/intro/
Terrorism among key topics at Asem
HANOI - Asian and European leaders gather in Hanoi this week for an inter-regional summit where terrorism, tension on the Korean peninsula and the political situation in Myanmar are likely to take centre stage.
The continuing instability in Iraq and the threat of weapons of mass destruction are also expected to dominate the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), which opens on Friday.
'European and Asian leaders are confident this summit will identify ways to reinforce effective multilateralism in the face of current regional and global challenges,' said Mr Markus Cornaro, head of the European Commission's delegation to Vietnam.
This fifth edition of the biennial summit is an informal gathering of leaders of 39 nations from the European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, China, and South Korea. It welcomes for the first time the 10 new members of the European Union as well as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
More than 1,000 delegates from 25 European and 13 Asian countries will be attending.
======
Of course, they are scared of the "AF Viet Terrorists coalition forces" !!!
2 EDIT: Side news:
QUOTE
French President Jacques Chirac was one of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq War. This earned him much respect at home — but carried a heavy political price as U.S.-French relations deteriorated. Our Read My Lips feature — adapted from Mr. Chirac's recent address to French diplomats — outlines the French president's vision for relations with the rest of the world.
Jacques Chirac on Global Futures
PARIS (AFP) Oct 04, 2004
Frnech President Jacques Chirac is to hold talks with Singapore's political leaders this week about supplying French Rafale fighter jets to the Asian city state, Chirac's spokesman said on Monday.
Chirac to discuss fighter jet orders with Singapore
PARIS, Oct. 4 (Xinhuanet). Visiting Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said here Monday that his country may withdraw all itstroops from Iraq by the end of next year. Kwasniewski said after talks with French President Jacques Chirac that the pullout will begin in January 2005 and Warsaw hopes "to finish our mission at the end of 2005."
Poland to withdraw troops from Iraq
BEIJING, Oct. 5 (AsiaNews) - Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to lobby European leaders to end what Beijing sees as an outdated embargo on arms sales to the mainland at an Asia-Europe forum in Vietnam.
Wen to urge EU lifting of arms sale ban
Jacques Chirac on Global Futures
PARIS (AFP) Oct 04, 2004
Frnech President Jacques Chirac is to hold talks with Singapore's political leaders this week about supplying French Rafale fighter jets to the Asian city state, Chirac's spokesman said on Monday.
Chirac to discuss fighter jet orders with Singapore
PARIS, Oct. 4 (Xinhuanet). Visiting Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said here Monday that his country may withdraw all itstroops from Iraq by the end of next year. Kwasniewski said after talks with French President Jacques Chirac that the pullout will begin in January 2005 and Warsaw hopes "to finish our mission at the end of 2005."
Poland to withdraw troops from Iraq
BEIJING, Oct. 5 (AsiaNews) - Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to lobby European leaders to end what Beijing sees as an outdated embargo on arms sales to the mainland at an Asia-Europe forum in Vietnam.
Wen to urge EU lifting of arms sale ban
QUOTE (lnf @ Oct 5 2004, 06:25 PM)
QUOTE
It's pretty funny that someone like Chirac would be considered right wing in Europe. The political spectrum has shifted that far to the left in Europe
It's clear that you don't know european politics. Can you tell me why do you considers him as left wing?
When being compared to ultra right-wing terrorist Viet extremists (those with that yellow flag w/3 bands), all historical democracies seem left-wing (and all "commies') hahaha.
They are left-overs of the dead and gone terror ARVN, as shown in this previous sig I used
QUOTE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Nguyen Cao Ky, Interview 1977
+corruption +rape +genocide, the all-in-1 US psychedelic war of the 60's...
+corruption +rape +genocide, the all-in-1 US psychedelic war of the 60's...
QUOTE
When being compared to ultra right-wing terrorist Viet extremists (those with that yellow flag w/3 bands), all historical democracies seem left-wing (and all "commies') hahaha.
They are left-overs of the dead and gone terror ARVN, as shown in this previous sig I used
They are left-overs of the dead and gone terror ARVN, as shown in this previous sig I used
Well, Si Fu, you can dwell on it and die with glory. How's that?
We are the tender loving care people. Our yellow three strips flag flies everywhere. You go to Hy Ma Lap Son or the moon and see it.
Commies are blood thirty. We only want fair treatment and equality for ALL Vietnamese people. At least we raise the issue. We are not like you because we don't jump in the bandwagon praising the repressive regime for faked victory over the Americans 30 years ago. The war was over. Most people who fought and "won" have been gone or eliminated. Not you. Today we fight for human rights.
QUOTE
Of course, they are scared of the "AF Viet Terrorists coalition forces" !!! laugh.gif
The Viet Af terrorist is you. Read your posts. Just remember, your threats are empty. You can't suicide bombing anyone...Hahaha...Thung rong danh tieng lon...
Ok, Si Fu, back to the topic, it's very nice of President Chirac to visit Vietnam. Hopefully he'll contribute to the wealth of those commies. Maybe poor people will be benefit a little. It's better than nothing.
So now we're "terrorist" because we advocate freedom of expression. Actually, this conforms on how the communist govt operates. All dissidents are called "terrorists" or "spies." The commie is right on line with his Hanoi regime.
QUOTE
Human Right Watch
Western media and international observers were barred from the appeals court hearing in August for Vietnamese cyber-dissident Pham Hong Son. But that didn't stop journalists and diplomats from eight countries from gathering outside the courthouse in Hanoi to register their concern. Pham, one of this year's Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett awardees, had been convicted in June on espionage charges after he posted pro-democracy statements on the Internet. Human Rights Watch issued a statement timed with Pham's August 26 appeals hearing that called for the dismissal of all charges. The statement received widespread attention in the international press and broadcast media. After a half-day hearing on August 26, Vietnam's Supreme Court reduced Pham's original sentence of thirteen years' imprisonment to five. Western and Asian diplomats attributed the lighter sentence to international pressure.
August 31, 2003 Advocacy Impact
Western media and international observers were barred from the appeals court hearing in August for Vietnamese cyber-dissident Pham Hong Son. But that didn't stop journalists and diplomats from eight countries from gathering outside the courthouse in Hanoi to register their concern. Pham, one of this year's Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett awardees, had been convicted in June on espionage charges after he posted pro-democracy statements on the Internet. Human Rights Watch issued a statement timed with Pham's August 26 appeals hearing that called for the dismissal of all charges. The statement received widespread attention in the international press and broadcast media. After a half-day hearing on August 26, Vietnam's Supreme Court reduced Pham's original sentence of thirteen years' imprisonment to five. Western and Asian diplomats attributed the lighter sentence to international pressure.
August 31, 2003 Advocacy Impact
Why not support the development? Let Vietnam change naturally as they come in more contacts with western countries instead of only china.
QUOTE (fiji @ Oct 6 2004, 02:47 AM)
Why not support the development? Let Vietnam change naturally as they come in more contacts with western countries instead of only china.
Very true...improved economic conditions will hopefully bring with it improved political conditions.
Don't mix vietnam war, war in iraq , liberty fries with that topic.
your definition of "left wing" is everybody who is again bush's politics( and more war in irak, French soldiers are fighting in afghanistan). Tony blair who supports the war in irak is considered as left wing you know.
i agree too
your definition of "left wing" is everybody who is again bush's politics( and more war in irak, French soldiers are fighting in afghanistan). Tony blair who supports the war in irak is considered as left wing you know.
QUOTE
QUOTE(fiji @ Oct 6 2004, 02:47 AM)
Why not support the development? Let Vietnam change naturally as they come in more contacts with western countries instead of only china.
Very true...improved economic conditions will hopefully bring with it improved political conditions.
Why not support the development? Let Vietnam change naturally as they come in more contacts with western countries instead of only china.
Very true...improved economic conditions will hopefully bring with it improved political conditions.
i agree too
10/06/2004 -- 22:31(GMT+7)
Vietnam Airlines signs deal to buy 10 aircraft
Vietnam Airlines has signed a $US750 million memorandum of agreement with Airbus of France to purchase 10 passenger aircraft as part of its ambitious fleet and route expansion program.
The signing ceremony between Airbus and Vietnam Airlines was witnessed by Vietnam's President, Tran Duc Luong, and French President, Jacques Chirac.
Mr Chirac, accompanied by a large business delegation, arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday for two-days of bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders.
Meanwhile, France has signed an agreement to lend Vietnam 200 million dollars for the construction of a tramway system in the capital, Hanoi aimed at relieving chronic traffic congestion.
The French assistance to the tram project is centred on provision of French equipment and services.
President Tran Duc Luong held talks with visiting French President Jacques Chirac in Ha Noi on Wednesday.
The Vietnamese delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, Chairman of the Presidential Office Nguyen Van Chien, Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Dinh Bin and other Vietnamese senior officials.
The French delegation included Minister in Charge of Foreign Trade Francois Loos, the Special Chief of Staff of the President Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Antoine Pouillieute, advisors to the President and many senior officials of the Presidential Office and Foreign Ministry.
President Luong warmly welcomed President Jacques Chirac on his second official visit to Viet Nam. Luong stressed the visit which takes place on the threshold of the fifth Asia-Europe meeting in Ha Noi is a manifestation of the development of the dynamic and diverse relationship between Viet Nam and France. Luong expressed his satisfaction at the positive development of the two countries' friendship, and political, economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation over the past years.
He said France is one of Viet Nam's leading European partners in development cooperation, trade, foreign direct investment as well as in culture, healthcare, education, personnel training and tourism. Many new cooperation areas have been opened by the two sides at the central and local levels, he noted.
Luong stressed that Viet Nam attaches importance to boosting and developing multifaceted cooperation with France with the motto: "Traditional friendly relations, long-lasting comprehensive cooperation and mutual confidence between the two countries in the new century". He expressed his hope that the two sides will further develop their existing bilateral relationship to new heights, widening and deepening it, a model of relations between a developing country and a developed country, between an Asian country and an European one.
On behalf of the State, Government and people of Viet Nam, President Luong thanked President Chirac and the French Government for their support for Viet Nam in promoting relations with the EU, in accessing the World Trade Organisation, as well as Viet Nam's endeavour to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
President Luong wished the visit of President Chirac and other distinguish guests a success, marking a new milestone in the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and France, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia.
French President Jacques Chirac praised Viet Nam's renovation achievements, open foreign policy and positive contributions to international forums, especially its preparations for the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting. He also asked President Tran Duc Luong to pass on his thanks to Hanoians for their contributions to the ASEM summit.
He expressed his delight at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries, affirming that France regards the enhancement of cooperation with Viet Nam as a priority in its policy towards Asia. France will continue assisting Viet Nam's renovation process and international economic integration for the country's development, he said, stressing that France will keep encouraging French companies to expand trade relations and investment in Viet Nam.
Touching upon the establishment of the Viet Nam Cultural Centre in Paris, he pledged to better conditions for Vietnamese students to study in France and help Viet Nam with its archaeological study.
France will actively continue supporting Viet Nam-EU relations' development, Viet Nam's entry into the WTO and efforts to the post of non-permanent member of the UN's Security Council in the 2008-2009 tenure, the French President said, praising Viet Nam's initiative in the tripartite cooperation between Viet Nam, France and Burkina Faso.
Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong and French President Jacques Chirac exchanged opinions on some international and regional issues of mutual interests. They agreed to strengthen their coordination within the community of French-speaking countries and international forums.
The talks took place in an atmosphere of friendship, openness and trustfulness.-Enditem
Vietnam Airlines signs deal to buy 10 aircraft
Vietnam Airlines has signed a $US750 million memorandum of agreement with Airbus of France to purchase 10 passenger aircraft as part of its ambitious fleet and route expansion program.
The signing ceremony between Airbus and Vietnam Airlines was witnessed by Vietnam's President, Tran Duc Luong, and French President, Jacques Chirac.
Mr Chirac, accompanied by a large business delegation, arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday for two-days of bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders.
Meanwhile, France has signed an agreement to lend Vietnam 200 million dollars for the construction of a tramway system in the capital, Hanoi aimed at relieving chronic traffic congestion.
The French assistance to the tram project is centred on provision of French equipment and services.
President Tran Duc Luong held talks with visiting French President Jacques Chirac in Ha Noi on Wednesday.
The Vietnamese delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, Chairman of the Presidential Office Nguyen Van Chien, Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Dinh Bin and other Vietnamese senior officials.
The French delegation included Minister in Charge of Foreign Trade Francois Loos, the Special Chief of Staff of the President Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Antoine Pouillieute, advisors to the President and many senior officials of the Presidential Office and Foreign Ministry.
President Luong warmly welcomed President Jacques Chirac on his second official visit to Viet Nam. Luong stressed the visit which takes place on the threshold of the fifth Asia-Europe meeting in Ha Noi is a manifestation of the development of the dynamic and diverse relationship between Viet Nam and France. Luong expressed his satisfaction at the positive development of the two countries' friendship, and political, economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation over the past years.
He said France is one of Viet Nam's leading European partners in development cooperation, trade, foreign direct investment as well as in culture, healthcare, education, personnel training and tourism. Many new cooperation areas have been opened by the two sides at the central and local levels, he noted.
Luong stressed that Viet Nam attaches importance to boosting and developing multifaceted cooperation with France with the motto: "Traditional friendly relations, long-lasting comprehensive cooperation and mutual confidence between the two countries in the new century". He expressed his hope that the two sides will further develop their existing bilateral relationship to new heights, widening and deepening it, a model of relations between a developing country and a developed country, between an Asian country and an European one.
On behalf of the State, Government and people of Viet Nam, President Luong thanked President Chirac and the French Government for their support for Viet Nam in promoting relations with the EU, in accessing the World Trade Organisation, as well as Viet Nam's endeavour to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
President Luong wished the visit of President Chirac and other distinguish guests a success, marking a new milestone in the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and France, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia.
French President Jacques Chirac praised Viet Nam's renovation achievements, open foreign policy and positive contributions to international forums, especially its preparations for the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting. He also asked President Tran Duc Luong to pass on his thanks to Hanoians for their contributions to the ASEM summit.
He expressed his delight at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries, affirming that France regards the enhancement of cooperation with Viet Nam as a priority in its policy towards Asia. France will continue assisting Viet Nam's renovation process and international economic integration for the country's development, he said, stressing that France will keep encouraging French companies to expand trade relations and investment in Viet Nam.
Touching upon the establishment of the Viet Nam Cultural Centre in Paris, he pledged to better conditions for Vietnamese students to study in France and help Viet Nam with its archaeological study.
France will actively continue supporting Viet Nam-EU relations' development, Viet Nam's entry into the WTO and efforts to the post of non-permanent member of the UN's Security Council in the 2008-2009 tenure, the French President said, praising Viet Nam's initiative in the tripartite cooperation between Viet Nam, France and Burkina Faso.
Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong and French President Jacques Chirac exchanged opinions on some international and regional issues of mutual interests. They agreed to strengthen their coordination within the community of French-speaking countries and international forums.
The talks took place in an atmosphere of friendship, openness and trustfulness.-Enditem
The welcome ceremony of French delegation on visit to Vietnam
French First Lady in Ha Noi
Ha Noi (VNA)- French President Chirac's wife, Bernadette Chirac, on Thursday had a working session with the Ministry of Justice and witnessed people submit applications to adopt children.
Later on, Mme Chirac visited the Ethnology Museum and witnessed the signing of projects on museum studies, social sciences and humanities between representatives from the Fund of Solidarity Priority (FSP) of France and the Viet Nam Ethnology Museum.
Under the projects, the FSP will provide five museums across Viet Nam with 1.7 million Euros to preserve cultural artefacts. The beneficiaries are the Ethnology Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, the War Crimes Museum in HCM City, the Cham Museum in the central city of Da Nang, and the Dac Lac provincial Museum in the central highlands.
The French First Lady also visited HIV/AIDS patients undergoing medical treatment at the Dong Da Hospital, Ha Noi, under a project funded by GIP ESTHER of France. There, she witnessed the signing of another GIP ESTHER project worth 255,000 Euro for HIV/AIDS patients in the Viet-Tiep (Viet Nam-Czechoslovakia) Hospital based in Hai Phong city.
Another project worth over 162,000 Euro was also signed by the heads of the Red Cross societies of Viet Nam and France to improve traffic safety on Ha Noi's streets. The project is co-sponsored by the French Foreign Ministry.--Enditem
Follow-up of Vietnam-France Relations by the VN Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ha Noi (VNA)- French President Chirac's wife, Bernadette Chirac, on Thursday had a working session with the Ministry of Justice and witnessed people submit applications to adopt children.
Later on, Mme Chirac visited the Ethnology Museum and witnessed the signing of projects on museum studies, social sciences and humanities between representatives from the Fund of Solidarity Priority (FSP) of France and the Viet Nam Ethnology Museum.
Under the projects, the FSP will provide five museums across Viet Nam with 1.7 million Euros to preserve cultural artefacts. The beneficiaries are the Ethnology Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, the War Crimes Museum in HCM City, the Cham Museum in the central city of Da Nang, and the Dac Lac provincial Museum in the central highlands.
The French First Lady also visited HIV/AIDS patients undergoing medical treatment at the Dong Da Hospital, Ha Noi, under a project funded by GIP ESTHER of France. There, she witnessed the signing of another GIP ESTHER project worth 255,000 Euro for HIV/AIDS patients in the Viet-Tiep (Viet Nam-Czechoslovakia) Hospital based in Hai Phong city.
Another project worth over 162,000 Euro was also signed by the heads of the Red Cross societies of Viet Nam and France to improve traffic safety on Ha Noi's streets. The project is co-sponsored by the French Foreign Ministry.--Enditem
Follow-up of Vietnam-France Relations by the VN Ministry of Foreign Affairs
He SHOULD go to Dien Bien Phu to pay his respect.
QUOTE (Mantis @ Oct 8 2004, 05:08 PM)
He SHOULD go to Dien Bien Phu to pay his respect.
Acknowledged! That was 11 years ago! But most of you were only too little a baby to know this!
>> In a major public relations event,
France’s President François Mitterrand in 1993 became the first Western leader to visit Vietnam since 1975, the year the war ended. Mitterrand even toured the battle sites where the French had been bloodied such as the fatal Dien Bien Phu.
Having first opened a closed door, Mitterrand was soon followed by American General John W. Vessey who had been invited to discuss the more than 2,000 missing American servicemen. ON the heals of this comparatively constructive visit, American President Clinton reversed a longtime trade embargo that the United States had placed on the country. Vietnam was now open to business and increasingly, businessmen and tourists () found their way here and brought with them, much needed hard currency. <<
EDIT:
Very nice pictures, July_Rain! Thanks!
I go there and have a look! oh, there was a whole album?
http://www.vnn.vn/chinhtri/doingoai/2004/10/317586/
here are some more! President Chirac visiting Thang Long's excavations:
http://www.vietnamnet.vn/chinhtri/doingoai/2004/10/332297/
And the winner is : CHINA
Damn... Vietnam had waisted too much spit!!!
Chirac's China Visit Nets $5B in Business
Monday October 11, 3:10 pm ET
By Laurence Frost, AP Business Writer
Chirac's China Visit Nets $5 Billion in Deals for French Companies and Some Disappointment
PARIS (AP) -- French companies were counting some $5 billion in spoils Monday after President Jacques Chirac used an official visit to China to boost economic ties, in a bid to prevent France from being left behind in the emerging Asian superpower's markets.
Chirac and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao presided over a weekend signing ceremony in Beijing at which French companies inked more than 20 new deals with local partners.
But some struggled to hide their disappointment after the size and scope of deals fell short of expectations.
The contracts included a $1.5 billion rolling stock order for Alstom SA, the French engineering giant that is fighting its way back from near-bankruptcy with the help of a multibillion-dollar government-backed bailout.
But Chirac's trip failed to produce a deal on a major high-speed railway link planned between Beijing and Shanghai, for which Alstom's TGV trains are up against Japan's bullet train technology.
Alstom's shares fell 3.7 percent Monday to close at $0.65, with some Paris traders saying they'd hoped for a bigger order and a share of the pie for the group's troubled power turbine business.
In other deals, water and energy giant Suez SA clinched new Chinese water and waste treatment contracts worth $845 million in the eastern coastal cities of Qingdao and Shanghai. Oil company Total SA finalized a deal to build 200 gas stations.
Airbus SAS also sealed six new passenger jet orders and confirmed another 20 announced previously. But the Toulouse-based aircraft maker failed to sell the new A380 "superjumbo" to China -- confounding market rumors that it was poised to announce a deal for 10 of the 555-seater jets.
"It's a hard blow," said Emmanuel Matot, aerospace analyst for Paris-based brokerage ETC Pollak Prebon. "China is where the strongest aviation growth in the world is going to be."
Over the next 20 years, Airbus sees average annual passenger traffic growth of 8.5 percent in China, compared with under 5 percent for the rest of the world.
Airbus spokeswoman Barbara Kracht conceded that time is running short for Chinese carriers to book and receive new planes ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when millions of additional visitors are expected to flock to China.
"A decision has to be made at some point," Kracht said. But she stressed that Airbus remains "confident that one day the A380 will fly in China."
Airbus said Saturday it plans to boost annual procurement in China to $120 million by 2010 from its current level of $15 million.
In terms of foreign direct investment, France still lags behind other major European partners in China -- which attracted more foreign investment than the United States for the first time last year, as its economy expanded by over 9 percent in real terms.
By the end of 2003, France had invested $6.1 billion, compared with Germany's $8.9 billion and Britain's $11.4 billion, Chinese trade ministry figures show.
During his visit, which ends Tuesday, Chirac has gone out of his way to charm his hosts, quoting Chinese poetry and echoing Beijing's repeated calls for "mutual respect" in foreign relations.
Discussion of human rights abuses has been avoided, with Chirac instead discreetly handing over a list of imprisoned dissidents -- played down by French officials as a routine gesture by a visiting European leader. Even the names upon it remained a secret.
The French head of state also called for an end to the European Union's arms embargo against China -- imposed after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on student protesters in Beijing -- describing it as "a measure motivated purely and simply by hostility."
EU foreign ministers failed to agree on lifting the 15-year-old embargo at a meeting in Luxembourg Monday, despite the strong French pressure.
For all France's efforts to woo China, however, its investments there are set to lag even further behind other European countries, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Paris-based organization estimates that French-based companies are on course to invest a further $554 million this year, with the Netherlands and Germany each investing $1.1 billion and Britain $770 million.
Damn... Vietnam had waisted too much spit!!!
Chirac's China Visit Nets $5B in Business
Monday October 11, 3:10 pm ET
By Laurence Frost, AP Business Writer
Chirac's China Visit Nets $5 Billion in Deals for French Companies and Some Disappointment
PARIS (AP) -- French companies were counting some $5 billion in spoils Monday after President Jacques Chirac used an official visit to China to boost economic ties, in a bid to prevent France from being left behind in the emerging Asian superpower's markets.
Chirac and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao presided over a weekend signing ceremony in Beijing at which French companies inked more than 20 new deals with local partners.
But some struggled to hide their disappointment after the size and scope of deals fell short of expectations.
The contracts included a $1.5 billion rolling stock order for Alstom SA, the French engineering giant that is fighting its way back from near-bankruptcy with the help of a multibillion-dollar government-backed bailout.
But Chirac's trip failed to produce a deal on a major high-speed railway link planned between Beijing and Shanghai, for which Alstom's TGV trains are up against Japan's bullet train technology.
Alstom's shares fell 3.7 percent Monday to close at $0.65, with some Paris traders saying they'd hoped for a bigger order and a share of the pie for the group's troubled power turbine business.
In other deals, water and energy giant Suez SA clinched new Chinese water and waste treatment contracts worth $845 million in the eastern coastal cities of Qingdao and Shanghai. Oil company Total SA finalized a deal to build 200 gas stations.
Airbus SAS also sealed six new passenger jet orders and confirmed another 20 announced previously. But the Toulouse-based aircraft maker failed to sell the new A380 "superjumbo" to China -- confounding market rumors that it was poised to announce a deal for 10 of the 555-seater jets.
"It's a hard blow," said Emmanuel Matot, aerospace analyst for Paris-based brokerage ETC Pollak Prebon. "China is where the strongest aviation growth in the world is going to be."
Over the next 20 years, Airbus sees average annual passenger traffic growth of 8.5 percent in China, compared with under 5 percent for the rest of the world.
Airbus spokeswoman Barbara Kracht conceded that time is running short for Chinese carriers to book and receive new planes ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when millions of additional visitors are expected to flock to China.
"A decision has to be made at some point," Kracht said. But she stressed that Airbus remains "confident that one day the A380 will fly in China."
Airbus said Saturday it plans to boost annual procurement in China to $120 million by 2010 from its current level of $15 million.
In terms of foreign direct investment, France still lags behind other major European partners in China -- which attracted more foreign investment than the United States for the first time last year, as its economy expanded by over 9 percent in real terms.
By the end of 2003, France had invested $6.1 billion, compared with Germany's $8.9 billion and Britain's $11.4 billion, Chinese trade ministry figures show.
During his visit, which ends Tuesday, Chirac has gone out of his way to charm his hosts, quoting Chinese poetry and echoing Beijing's repeated calls for "mutual respect" in foreign relations.
Discussion of human rights abuses has been avoided, with Chirac instead discreetly handing over a list of imprisoned dissidents -- played down by French officials as a routine gesture by a visiting European leader. Even the names upon it remained a secret.
The French head of state also called for an end to the European Union's arms embargo against China -- imposed after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on student protesters in Beijing -- describing it as "a measure motivated purely and simply by hostility."
EU foreign ministers failed to agree on lifting the 15-year-old embargo at a meeting in Luxembourg Monday, despite the strong French pressure.
For all France's efforts to woo China, however, its investments there are set to lag even further behind other European countries, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Paris-based organization estimates that French-based companies are on course to invest a further $554 million this year, with the Netherlands and Germany each investing $1.1 billion and Britain $770 million.
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