Exchanging on the sideline of the opening of The 11^th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations, Venerable Professor Dr. Phra Prahamapundit ( from Thailand), founding President of the international Council for UN Vesak Day highly appreciated the diversity of belief and religion in Vietnam with the strong development of Buddhism.

This is the second time the UN chose Vietnam as host nation of The 11^th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations because of the initiative and zealousness of Vietnam beside successful result of Vesak 2008 was also held by Vietnam which made good impressions about the country, people and religious life in Vietnam. Moreover, Buddhism has flourished not only in Vietnam but also kept a positive role in economic life and society. As Vietnamese delegates emphasized that Buddhists monks and Buddhist Church of Vietnam with more than 30 years of maturity has contributed significantly to the realization of UN millennium development goals for a good life, good religion. .

The theme for this year Vesak in Vietnam more affirmed meaningful motto of Buddhism in general and Vietnamese Buddhism in particular. Vietnam is one of the best countries to implement the goals of the UN Millennium. Among eight goals  Vietnam has successfully implemented five ones and are striving to achieve three remaining goals with a positive outlook .

Vietnamese Buddhism are traditionally established and longstanding developments. In the exchange, Venerable Professor Dr. Phra Prahamapundit said that he has gone to Vietnam many times and he felt that Vietnam has a plentiful and diversified life of religion with with the rapid development of Buddhism in general as well as other religions in particular. All were clearly expressed through religious infrastructure built quickly that he could observe over the 3 times to Vietnam about a year ago. The Catholics in Vietnam are free to practice.

Vesak 2008 and 2014 are clear proofs show abundant growth of Buddhism in Vietnam. Through the Panorama photos of art exhibition of Buddhist in Vietnam, everybody could admire the image of Vietnamese temples with characteristic architecture features. Besides, the contemporary paintings of the famous painters about Buddhism vividly reflected the spiritual and cultural life as well as the role of Buddhism in Vietnam society.

All those who think that the UN Day of Vesak aimed at “sprucing up” human rights and religious freedom issues in Vietnam should reconsider because Buddhism does not distinguish between religion and different political opinions but all geared to encourage harmony and avoid confrontation as well as the enhancement of human and collaboration. The opinions were deduced from a leading critical event of Buddhism with such political issues are not acceptable.

The Ukraine crisis has gone too far from what it started 5 months ago. And once again, when we review the West’s reaction in this crisis, we can realize that the regime which follows the rule of the West will be peaceful and democratic, if not even get "beaten".

Besides that, we can also see the Western media groups are used smoothly by the politicians to serve their propaganda purposes.

Indeed, the outbreak of the crisis started only after the Government of Ukraine President Yanukovych signed a decree (11/21/2013) to postpone the preparatory activities for the signing of a historic agreement with the European Union (EU) on trade and politics.

That decision immediately caused waves in the Ukraine political arena.

The opposition, in favor of joining the EU, took the streets to protest the Yanukovych’s decision which they deem to be in favor of Russia.

President Yanukovych explained that the government did not sign agreements with the EU due to the EU' strict rules for the Ukraine weak economy. There were no interest for Ukraine to join the EU at that time.

The reality shows that Ukraine is experiencing one of the most difficult moments in the old continent. The economy has declined 5 consecutive quarters. Industry, the backbone of the economy, has plummeted. The trade deficit and the current account amount to 5.5 % of GDP and has recently been downgraded to the high-risk types by international credit agencies...

And yet, if Ukraine joined EU, Russia will be forced to issue the protection measures. As follows, Russia will close its market for goods of Ukraine. Moscow fears the EU-imported cheap goods shall spill into Russia market through Ukraine.

In a nutshell, as the neutral economic experts assessed the Yanukovych decision was entirely about economic matter and a good way which could give Ukraine a chance to rescue the economy on the brink of bankruptcy.

However, the political aspects of the decision has really caused controversial. The opposition demonstrators had continued to make the situation more tense and forced the Yanukovych administration into a messy situation. So far, a lot of bloody conflicts between protesters and police have broken out.

The Western media then repeatedly posting the comments, assessment and warning of politicians from the U.S. and Europe. They said that Yanukovych 's government is cracking down on opposition demonstrators, strangling voices for democracy etc...

The turning point in Ukraine political arena was when the opposition control the parliament and deposed the ruling President Yanukovych and forced him flee to Russia.

At that time, the opposition came to power and formed an interim government. However, those who do not support Ukraine to be friends with the EU become opposing forces, started protesting. They are the people in the southern and eastern provinces of Ukraine, Yanukovych's hometown. They denounced the Kiev interim government coup and no legal status, while Yanukovych was elected by entire Ukraine people in 2010.

They started to carry out their demonstrations and occupy public offices in the eastern provinces, and announced the establishment of the autonomous states, to secede from Ukraine...

At the moment Kiev and the West consider them as not fighters for democracy but terrorists and using military to suppress. Many protesters have been killed during recent clashes.

The question is why the same phenomenon, same things, the West might call them with different names. Protesters who opposed Yanukovych government in Maidan Square U.S. and EU are called heroes of reforming, and protesters in the eastern provinces of Ukraine (they are also for democracy and reform) are to be considered terrorists.

The only explanation for the difference is “If you are not with us, you are…terrorists” - the West’s motto!

Freedom of expression and press is always a global issue. It not only concerns leaders of all nations but also a basic human right, a fundamental need in any country during the process of development, particularly in this era of the information explosion. However, in a specific political regime, the connotation of freedom of expression and press is understood differently, due to different approaches and even the opposing political motivations of various interest groups.

Freedom of expression and press is one of the fundamental human goals, to obtain their right to information, public discussion, communication, reflecting the people’s will and aspirations publicly through the mass media.

That is a fact when the ruling class still plays a progressive role in history, freedom of expression and the press play an important role in social development. And, on the contrary, when the ruling class becomes a force that hinders society’s progress, “freedom of expression” cannot be obtained, in the literal meaning of this phrase. By analyzing subjective and objective conditions in any political regime and society, it can be said that there is no pure freedom of expression and press; not to mention the so-called “absolute freedom of press” as the bourgeois class claims.

In capitalist society, the press operates in accordance with bourgeois law. What they call “freedom of press” has been truncated in the interests of the ruling class. For example: The US Constitution stipulates that Congress has no right to issue any document that limits freedom of the press and speech. However, in 1789 the US Congress passed an Act that said the writing, printing, and delivering of any untruthful, offensive or malicious documents against the government were crimes.

The laws of other countries, in principle, acknowledge freedom of press and speech, but do not consider it an “absolute freedom”. This completely corresponds to the UN 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights, whose article 29 states that “in the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society”.

These examples show that no single country in the world considers “freedom of expression” and “freedom of the press” as absolutes.

Freedom of press in Vietnam

In its legal aspects, all Vietnam’s constitutional have so far (1946, 1959, 1980, 1992) included regulations on freedom of expression and press, saying this one of the most fundamental rights of the people and all citizens. With each redrafting of the Constitution these regulations are inherited and developed to match Vietnam’s specific conditions and historical circumstances.

Those who lack good will say that in Vietnam there is no freedom of press because there is no private press (!). They deliberately ignore the fact that in the recent past, the Vietnamese press has made a giant leap forward in terms of quantity, formats, publications, the number of media practitioners, and quantity of audiences, technological facilities, financial capacity, and the various communication agencies’ increased positive impact on society. Almost all ministries, branches, sectors and organizations from central to local level, social classes and strata, professional associations, circles and major religions have their own newspapers.

In Vietnam, the press has truly been the organ of the Party, State, political, social and professional organizations; a forum and an important tool to protect the interests and rights to freedom for people from all walks of life. Everyone has the right to express their aspirations, opinions and recommendations on all aspects of our social life via the mass media, including the press. Furthermore, by working for or being a member of an organization, a person is provided with a publication of that organization to make sure that all his/her demands and rights to be informed are met. That’s why, the majority of social strata in Vietnam find it unnecessary to have a privately-published newspaper.

Freedom of the press is relative in any society because freedom of the press should be exercised in accordance with the law, guided by law and suitable to the specific historical conditions of each country. Opportunists and hostile forces have spread the news: “Vietnam suppresses dissidents” (!). This is a sheer fabrication and slander. In fact several people have faced administrative or legal processes due to their use of the mass-media to distort and cook up information in order to incite protests against the Vietnamese Party and State.

Reality has proved that in Vietnam there is genuine freedom of expression and the press based on a journalist’s strict compliance with the law and upholding their social responsibilities and duties as citizens during national construction and defence. If someone deliberately takes advantage of democracy and freedom of expression and press to publicly oppose the Party and State and runs counter to national interests, he/she will be dealt with equally and strictly by the administration or law. This is evident and not different from any independent, sovereign country!

Recently, Radio Free Asia (RFA) has reduced the Vietnamese broadcast to just a half-hour each day. Shortly after the news was announced, public opinion among overseas Vietnamese community expressed welcome. Many article are posted on many personal blogs or websites aiming at criticize propaganda of inciting ethnic hatred  and anti-Vietnam from RFA. People in general want to terminate permanently RFA’s Vietnamese broadcast or even close down the station.

The movement in closing RFA

People support in stopping Vietnamese program on RFA none other than the individuals once the victims of misinformation, slander and lack of objectivity from RFA. Many Vietnamese-American journalists do not accept the lack of ethics in journalism and overseas Vietnamese who understand the situation in the country was reported discontent with the shapeless information by RFA.

Not long ago, RFA published the articles entitled “Who does Mr. Tran Nhat Quang insult on?” of author under the name Canh Co. The article was blatantly slanderous and insulting the honor of a serious patriotic citizen such as Tran Nhat Quang, through which propagandize against the Communist Party of Vietnam. The article has caused netizens to react. As such victim also wrote letter requiring RFA to remove the article and public apologize him. Under pressure from public opinion, RFA has removed all down but no apology to Mr. Tran Nhat Quang or any explanation for readers and correction.

Another victim of the propaganda by RFA is Hoang Thi Nhat Le to such an extent that a few days ago she must wrote a letter to Senator Ed Royce to complain that “ In October 2013, RFA published a series of articles by Nguyen Ngoc Gia to distort, libel and defame me leading to many influence on my life and job”...

To label and defame the patriotic Vietnamese citizens are the latest guises of RFA to propagandize against Vietnam. They often distort, slander and libel the Party and State leaders of Vietnam, even distort the historical truth. Just flip through Vietnamese program on RFA in April every year will see the headlines all emerged unfriendly to trample on history, deny the achievements of the struggle for national liberation and reunification. It is more dangerous when RFA reported a gloomy picture about Vietnam after April 30, 1975 to circumvent national reconciliation policy, to divide , incite revenge and carve hatred.

The movement in closing RFA in the U.S. is going to be quite exciting and increasingly widespread. Some journalists are at the forefront of this movement. Among them, Mr. Nguyen The Hung, Editor of kbchn.net has sent a letter to U.S. Senator Ed Royce to present argumenting proposals for closing Vietnamese program on RFA and he received the consensus of public opinion. U.S. Senator Ed Royce is co-founder of the so-called “Vietnam Human Rights Act HR 1897”, who often have preconceived views on human rights in Vietnam.

When the letter by journalist Nguyen Phuong Hung to Mr Ed Royce was posted online, many readers supported strongly and expressed sympathy. Reader under the nickname Pham The said that the RFA is an out of battery speaker so that nobody wants to hear”. Concurred with the proposal for closing down Vietnamese program on RFA, nickname Quang Thanh wrote: “It should have more voice of  opposing to let Americans themselves also find that the RFA always distorts and fabricates. Moreover, it is  entirely unfavorable for the relations between Vietnam and the U.S.”. “We need a broad movement to demand the U.S. government pay attention to this” said by the nickname Le Quan.

Regarding the work of the RFA. Journalist John Lee from the United States has shared from the perspective of a journalist. He said: “In my opinion, just look clearly through the site. All the articles published so far on democracy, human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam have been one-sided nature, reflecting misinformation about what has been happening. The characters called "the activists for Vietnam’s democracy and human rights” by RFA all actually violated Vietnam Law. They always advocate for actions against the general interests of the community, try to collect negative cases in Vietnam to assess the general society is totally wrong and subjective. When posting an article, RFA always says that it is the author's own views. That is the clear act of evading responsibility from RFA.

Journalist John Lee cited by prominent case like “Con Dau” in Da Nang. According to him, RFA inflated the truth to the unacceptability. Houston City Councilmember Hoang Duy Hung and General Secretary of Vietweekly website Nguyen Etcetera felt completely surprised at what RFA had reported when they came to verify the case in Con Dau. The truth was exactly opposite to what RFA exploitation posting from the so-called “witnesses”. “All can conclude that: RFA is dishonest with readers. From the press’ ethical perspective, it is worth condemning”, Journalist John Lee stressed.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke on the phone with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi on the afternoon of May 6 on China’s drilling rig HYSY-981 and its ships operating in Vietnam’s waters.

During the talks, the Deputy PM, who is also the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, stressed that China’s unilateral bringing of the rig and a large number of vessels, including military ships, to operate in oil and gas Lot 143 on Vietnam’s continental shelf since May 1is illegal and runs counter to international law and practice. He said that the move had seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and its sovereign right and jurisdiction over the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

He added that the act also negatively impacts political trust and cooperation between the two countries and hurts the Vietnamese people.

Vietnam cannot accept but resolutely opposes China’s act, and demands that it completely withdraw the drilling rig and escort vessels from the area and hold talks to settle differences around the issue, Minh said.

He affirmed that Vietnam has full legal and historical evidence attesting its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos and the sovereign right and jurisdiction over the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with regulations in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam will take all suitable and necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, he added.

Minh declared that Vietnam always patiently shows willingness to satisfactorily solve differences through talks, dialogues and peaceful measures following the common perceptions of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders. He added that Vietnam always follows the agreement on fundamental principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea in line with regulations and realities of international law, especially the UNCLOS, preventing the problem from damaging the political trust and cooperation between the two sides.

Earlier on May 4, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Vietnamese Government negotiation delegation on border and territory Ho Xuan Son discussed the issue over the phone with his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin.

The same day, representatives from the Foreign Ministry met representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and handed over a ministerial diplomatic note to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The note affirmed that the activities of China’s drilling rig HYSY-981 and vessels seriously infringed Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction over Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. It also seriously violated agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders and went against the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and related regulations in international law.

The note demanded that China “immediately withdraw the drilling rig, vessels, equipment and personnel from Lot 143 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and prevent the recurrence of similar acts”.

In conclusion, the note affirmed that Vietnam holds its friendship, cooperation and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China in high esteem and is therefore willing to peacefully settle all the disputes and differences at sea between the two sides. It is prepared to do this through bilateral negotiation mechanisms on the basis of internal law, the UNCLOS and the agreement on the fundamental principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea between Vietnam and China.-VNA

 On every World Press Freedom Day (May 3), some unfriendly voices from abroad appear again to smear press freedom in Vietnam. This year, a number of radios, anti-communist organizations and two U.S. congressmen have cooperated to induce a group of people who are not journalists from Vietnam to the United States for attending the so-called “hearing on Vietnam freedom of press”. So what is the truth behind this story?

It is not the spirit of World Press Freedom Day

Group of people socalled “independent journalists” are actually the bloggers from Vietnam participated in the hearing including Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, Ngo Nhat Dang, Nguyen Dinh Ha, To Oanh and Le Thanh Tung. Several were also invited to the hearing including: Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Lan Thang and Anna Huyen Trang. These people are assigned roles seem very important such as “warming up independent journalism in Vietnam”, thay were also in contact with officials, human rights organizations, a number of internet companies and participated in “training court for communications and electronic security”.

It is first heard as a meaningful activity but when considering carefully it is really divergent from principles and purposes of the World Press Freedom Day because of many hidden malicious intents.

In fact, World Press Freedom Day 2014 theme was “Media Freedom for a better future” and focussed on the problems: “Media freedom, State Jurisdiction, Professional journalism is part of development”. Based on that criteria, the so-called “hearing”, “workshop” in America all went against the spirit. First of all , the organizers throughout the years always harass democracy and distort situation in many countries around the world such as RFA, Reporters Without Borders and socalled Viet Tan - a terrorist organization that has carried out many activities against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. And two Congressmen of Loretta Sanchez and Zoe Lofgren long regarded as  two hawks by the international opinion often make subjective opinions on democracy and human rights in Vietnam as well as many other countries. On ther part of the U.S. Rep. Sanchez frequently lobby the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bills and resolutions on the human rights situation in Vietnam. The people organized the hearing only referred to one side of “media freedom” but not mentioned  state jurisdiction and also forgot “professional journalism” when they invited speakers who are unreal journalists but political oppotunists associated with the extreme anti-communist organizations, hostile forces against Vietnam. They use blogs, facebook to spread fabricating and distorting or anti - government messages, inflating personal grievances under a flashy hat of “press freedom” and “patriotism”.

Talking about these “journalists”, Mr. John Lee, editor of an overseas Vietnamese newspaper in the United States said that: “Those political opportunists are real political opposition to national interests, as they feed a vicious malice they will never obey “press freedom” in the true sense of this word. In fact, they are against the spirit of the Press Freedom Day 2014. We can not achieve press freedom if people discuss it do not know anything about journalism so.

The “experts at screaming”

To mention an example when Nguyen Lan Thang was banned from exitting Vietnam, he sent a letter to Loretta Sanchez for distorting that no-press-freedom situation in Vietnam would cause serious harm as the lack of information about the current measles disease.

In terms of how to organize the hearing we can immediately see the lack of objectivity. The people were invited including Pham Chi Dung, Ngo Nhat Dang, Nguyen Lan Thang, Huyen Trang, Kim Chi all just represent the discontent and extreme voice. No article on their blog, facebook reflected the reality in our country excepting distorted and jaundiced detractors about the Party and State. Cu Huy Ha Vu is a clear example when most of them went against tradition, revolutionary ideology of the family. They were condemned by not only society but also their family. Many people in this group gave up their jobs to distort situation in Vietnam on their private blogs or facebook and now continue misrepresenting press freedom abroad. If it is truly for freedom of the press, the U.S. Representative must be towards multidimensional and basic information as such from press agencies, journalists or independent surveys... If they need more reliable and independent information, they can fully access the research of Mr. Falemavaega Congressman Eni, a senior member of the foreign Relations committee of the U.S. House of Representatives Human Rights Council United Nations last February 8 in Geneva Geneva, Switzerland. In his statement, Congressman Falemavaega highly appreciated the achievements of Vietnam about freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association, ensuring the rights of prisoners, freedom of religion. Freedom of speech, press and information in Vietnam is reflected clearly through the number of newspapers, publications, radio and television channels, these rights are recognized in the Constitution and protected by law. Last April 7, the U.S. House of Representatives recognized the full text of the above statement of Congressman Falemavaega the official documents of the U.S. House of Representatives and handed the Congressional Record for  Vietnam Ambassador to the U.S, Nguyen Quoc Cuong. Why did not the congressmen and the “independent journalists” understand and record this information?

Biased hearings will lead to discredit

No state has the absolute freedom to the press even the U.S is claimed that there is no real freedom of the press. So it should not because the emotional inference to judge wrongly on the situation of press freedom in Vietnam because the more they distort reality, the less reputation of every congressman, every major human rights organizations and participants to world Press Freedom Day will increasingly impaired. Even public awareness and advancement of the people will turn against those events. There probably was precedent in Singapore. Last year, the organization of Reporters Without Borders (RWB) published annual “Press Freedom Index” to evaluate Singapore at 149th position out of 179 countries, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong urgently said that the “Freedom of the press” means nothing. He said that the media system “is a very self transmission over the Interne , people can receive information instantly anywhere in the world. The newspapers have right to publish freely all kinds of news but also to have high responsibility”. The organization of Reporters Without Borders considered the “press freedom” of a country including the consideration of legislation to control press but did not consider the quality of the press and media in that country.

Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continuously confirm and broaden freedom of the press. In terms of both quantity and quality, Vietnam is a country with developing journalism and good performance of press freedom. With the spirit of world Press Freedom Day 2014 was  Media freedom, State Jurisdiction, Professional journalism is part of development has shown progress in improving the system of law relating to the human rights, freedom of the press in which the highest purpose is that Vietnam Constitution must be recognized. It is unable to resist impose and make wrong judgment. All the “hearings” like this are unnecessary and lack of objectivity!