Marine militia may be set up to protect sea and islands

In this interview with VietNamNet, the Chairman of the NA’s Defense and Security Committee confirmed that the East Sea conflict has heightened deputies’ attention to defense issues.

Mr. Le Quang Binh (standing).

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VietNamNet: In the autumn National Assembly (NA) session, many deputies are very keen to strengthen protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Some deputies have proposed to increase the budget for defense. As the chairman of the NA’s Committee for Defense and Security, what do you think?

Chairman Le Quoc Binh: I’m glad when the legislature acknowledges the role of defense and security forces in protecting and developing the country.  Building the country and protecting the country cannot be separated.

The government’s report this year has a section on defense and security. This is a positive move.

VietNamNet: Why are the NA and the Government paying more attention to security and defense?

Binh: Many significant events will take place in 2010: local Party Congresses will be held at all levels to prepare for the National Party Congress and many national anniversaries. Hostile forces are exploiting these events to sabotage and weaken the leadership of the Party and neutralize the state’s management.

So far they have not achieved any remarkable harm to our political security but there are some organizations that are trying to stir up riots.  They aim at an Eastern Europe-type revolution to overthrow the socialist system and render our national government ineffective.

Also, there are complicated developments in the East Sea issue.  For that reason, we need to enhance our ability to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty and interests in the East Sea, especially the interests of fishermen.

VietNamNet: Many deputies have emphasized the need to increase investment in defense and security.  What is your opinion?

Binh: That is a sound idea. Our armed forces have high morale; they are ready to sacrifice themselves to preserve our independence and sovereignty.  However, weapons of the armed forces and police are ill-assorted and outdated. We have concentrated our resources on developing the economy and so we have not invested properly in defense and security.

In the current context, to protect our sovereignty and ensure security and political stability, will power is not enough.  Our army needs to be equipped with modern weapons. It is necessary to raise the weapons procurement budget for the army and police.

VietNamNet: Some have proposed using part of the budget that’s now supporting state-owned enterprises, and is misspent by them, to buy GPS and communications equipment for our fishermen and to establish a force to protect fishermen.

Binh: The Committee for Defense and Security has reported to the other NA deputies that we agree with the government’s proposed budget for defense and security in 2010. We also suggested that an additional 100 billion dong be provided to the Ministry of Defense to upgrade housing for soldiers and 100 billion dong to the Ministry of Public Security to buy modern equipment to ensure the country’s security.

There will be a separate program concerning weapons for the Defense Ministry.

VietNamNet: The life and property of Vietnamese’s fishermen have been threatened many times recently.  Do you think that’s partly because we lack weapons for the naval forces and sea police?

Vietnamese naval soldiers.

Binh: These forces are armed but not well enough. We have experimented with arming some fishing boats but when these boats went into foreign waters, they were regarded as pirates.  We’ll have to consider providing armed fishing boats with certificates to assure that they are not mistaken for pirates.

VietNamNet: How should we deal with this [maritime] situation?

Binh: We need to take comprehensive measures.  Legally, we should issue a Law on Vietnam’s Maritime Areas that is based on the UN Law of the Sea Convention and we should let the whole world know Vietnam’s position.

Then we should sign agreements with the countries sharing the sea with Vietnam like China, Thailand, the Philippines and develop principles of conduct in the East Sea.

All conflicts must necessarily be resolved by diplomatic methods and peaceful negotiation between nations, as though they are brothers and sisters in the same family.

VietNamNet: Some people say it doesn’t matter how much we spend on defense, is won’t be enough if the people don’t share a strong will to defend the country.  What is your viewpoint?

Binh: Yes, that’s right!  [With that in mind,] at this session, the NA will approve the Law on Militia.  It’s a law that expresses our policy of relying on the people to protect our country.

The kernel of this law is that all the people of a certain age, both men and women, must  participate in the militia.  Every streets and village will set up their militia unit; organizations and agencies will have their own protection forces as well. Each citizen will become a soldier to defend the country whenever invaders come.

On the sea, based on the Law on Militia, we will better develop a marine militia to protect our fishermen. But I want to make clear that we build the militia forces to protect our interest and sovereignty, not to oppose anyone. Vietnam loves peace, and only to protect that peace and our independence do we organize such forces.

VietNamNet: Could you tell us more about the sea militia concept?

Binh: Sea militia will be set up in coastal and island villages; guard forces will be set up at economic enterprises that operate in the sea, such as fishing cooperatives and shipment companies.  They will coordinate with our naval forces and marine police.

The new militia law will indicate the directions of policy; the Government will fill in the details.

VietNamNet: Indonesia has issued a law on marine resources which allows its armed forces to attack foreign ships that violate what it considers to be its maritime territories. What is your comment?

Binh: Vietnamese fishermen sometimes don’t know where Vietnamese seas stop and foreign seas begin, so they enter foreign waters.  Foreign boats sometimes also enter Vietnam’s sea.

For Vietnam, when foreign ships enter our seas, the Vietnamese naval and sea police forces rely on loudspeakers to tell foreign ships to leave.  We have never resorted to violence against foreign ships.

Meanwhile, some countries seize Vietnamese ships and ask for ransom. In some cases, they used high speed vessels to run around our fishing boats, trying to make big waves to sink our boats. Particularly, some have shot at Vietnamese boats and fishermen. This act is not compatible with the principles of conduct in the East Sea, which says that all conflicts must be solved by peaceful measures.

Vietnam’s policy is to protect its sovereignty but Vietnam doesn’t use violence against foreign fishing boats entering its seas.

VietNamNet: Vietnam, China and ASEAN countries have agreed on a statement about principles of conduct in the East Sea.  However, a complete set of rules of conduct, fully approved by all sides hasn’t been developed yet . . . .

Binh: We are working on this. Next week, the Ministers of Defense of ASEAN countries will meet in Thailand and this issue will be discussed. 

Phuong Loan 

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Tags: Defense And Security, East Sea, Fishing Boats, For Defense And, For Defense And Security, Foreign Ships, In The East, In The East Sea, The Country, The East, The East Sea, The Government, The Sea, To Protect Our, Physics games

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