Independence and self-control are what make Vietnam’s character

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh talked with VietNamNet’s readers about Vietnam’s position after its two years as an elected member of the UN Security Council.

Two years after joining the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) activities as an elected member, what has Vietnam contributed and gained from the experience?

First of all, I would like to thank VietNamNet for giving me a chance to communicate with readers about the two-year termsof Vietnam at the UN Security Council.

In the past two years, we have shown our character and style. This has been remarked upon by many countries.

In the past, Vietnam has had to struggle for independence and self-control. We understand the loss caused by war and the price for peace. Vietnam loves peace. Vietnam took part in discussions at the UNSC based on two major principles: how to maintain peace and ensure independence and sovereignty of our country. That is Vietnam’s character.

Before Vietnam joined the UNSC, some worried that Vietnam might be in the shadow of larger countries. How did Vietnam managed to prove the contrary?

This is the first time Vietnam has attending the UNSC. Some worried that due to a lack of experience, Vietnam might be dependent on others. This has been a fact in the UNSC with some countries, which didn’t have their own position, characters and style.

Vietnam joined the UNSC, based on the UN Charter and the international laws, Vietnam always respected the independence and sovereignty of other countries and promoted solving disputes by peaceful measures. Vietnam hasn’t followed any country. We observed common principles and stuck to our own principles. Therefore, Vietnam’s decisions were not influenced by any country or any factor.

Kishore Mahbubani, the Singaporean Ambassador who wrote “Can Asians Think?”, held the UNSC chairmanship twice in 2001 and 2002, complained about the pressure of the P5 group on small countries and he even mentioned the P1. How did Vietnam feel this pressure? Can small countries avoid pressure?

Kishore Mahbubani is a famous ambassador at the UN. He has participated in many activities of the UN so his comment is based on the observation of actual operations.

At the UNSC, a member state not only takes responsibility to the world but also for their region. Members and non-member countries of the UNSC have specific requests about issues related to them. It is not true to say there are many pressures at the UNSC and it is also untrue to say there is no pressure.

Raising questions can be understood to add to pressure but it depends on each country as to how they deal with them to ensure the common goals of the UN and the interests of the region, while obey the UNSC principles.

In our experience Ccountries raised issues and Vietnam exchanged with members of the UNSC and related countries about these issues. For many issues, officials of related countries, including the ASEAN, directly called our leaders or officials of the Foreign Ministry to exchange and seek solutions.

I may say that in the UNSC’s matters, Vietnam always discussed with the five permanent members and elected members.

In the UNSC, some countries are granted a more important role than others. The five permanent members (P5) have the veto. With that ballot, if a resolution is inappropriate to their interests, they can veto it.

In some cases, we voted against resolutions which were not suitable to our principles. On occasions, our vote and the ballots of countries sharing the same stance, made draft resolutions not be approved.

Vietnam showed its stance and viewpoints and we voiced our concerns with big countries when issues didn’t meet common standards or the goal to maintain peace and security in the world.

Vietnam has successfully completed its two-year term at the UNSC during which time it significantly contributed to Vietnam’s position in the world. Did Vietnam take advantage of this to bring up the East Sea conflict within an international community?

The conflict in the East Sea doesn’t threaten security in the region or international security or peace so nobody raised this issue at the UNSC.

We have a mechanism to solve the East Sea conflict through bilateral relations with related countries and the ASEAN’s Declaration of Conducts in the East Sea 2002.

Vietnam is chairman of ASEAN in 2010. According to ASEAN’s rules, all issues related to the regional security can be voiced at ASEAN.

What were the advantages and disadvantages Vietnam faced at the UNSC, especially during the month we held the UNSC Chairmanship?

The UNSC Chairman has to work out a program of discussion as well as draft resolutions and more importantly act as intermediate to reconcile different stances in the UNSC. Vietnam took the UNSC chairmanship for the first time in July 2008, only eight months after it joined the UNSC. It was difficult for us because we lacked experience. In addition, July was the month that the UNSC Chairman has to prepare the annual report of the UNSC from July 2007 to July 2008.

Thanks to our careful preparation and good relations with countries in the UNSC and the Secretariat, our annual report was praised for its quality. Vietnam surpassed any difficulties to fulfill its mission.

In the month of our Chairmanship, we organized notable activities such as the open discussion about the Middle East, children in armed conflicts, and assisted the UNSC to deal with many complicated issues.

After the first successful term at the UNSC, do you think that we can join the UNSC again in the future?

Why not? Many countries continue to run for the elected membership of the UNSC after their first time. Vietnam did well over the past two years but we didn’t take full use of many opportunities. If we have a second chance, we can do better.

American professor Joseph Nye recently analyzed Vietnam’s soft power. What do you think about it?

Vietnam is known as a heroic nation, which experienced thousands of years of struggle for independence.

At the UNSC, other countries understand that Vietnam wants to have peace, independence and sovereignty for itself and other nations. They see it as Vietnam’s soft power.

You said that Vietnam has experienced thousands of years struggling for independence. Do you think that Vietnam is able to play the role of a reconciler in conflicts in the world?

Vietnam has the opportunity and ability to play the role of a reconciler in conflicts but this role requires many factors, including hard strength, economic potential, position and others.

When Vietnam helps others it is based on its experience in wars, negotiations for peace and normalizing relations with other countries. We’ve also had success in building the country and we have a real aspiration for promoting peace, cooperation and development.

In the past two years, Vietnam took the first steps to seek peaceful solutions for some conflicts, for example the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. As a member of the UNSC and ASEAN, Vietnam discussed with the two related countries to seek suitable solutions.

What do you think about Vietnam’s current position and where it might be in five years?

Vietnam joined the UN in 1977. Since then we have been participated more deeply in the UN’s activities. Based on the viewpoint that Vietnam is a friend and reliable partner of the international community and a responsible member of the international community, we will more positively take part in solving international issues, not just matters of this region.  

VietNamNet

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