~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Vietnam says "imperialist countries" still backing opposition sabotage plots

HANOI - Vietnamese Police Minister Le Minh Huong accused "imperialist countries" of continuing to support the violent overthrow of his government Friday just days after an official daily reported the arrest of more than 40 suspected saboteurs.

"Strongly supported and helped by the imperialist countries and hostile forces, extremist reactionaries among Vietnamese communities overseas have not stopped organizing campaigns to send men and weapons into the country to overthrow the revolutionary regime," Huong charged. Huong did not spell out what new infiltration plots his officers had uncovered to prompt his accusation, which was made in a signed article in the ruling communist party's daily Nhan Dan. Instead he recounted the history of destabilization efforts by "American imperialism and its lackeys" since the communists' victory in the Vietnam War. And a front-page editorial accompanying his article also gave no details, although it too strongly hinted that fresh plots had been uncovered.

"Hostile and reactionary forces have not given up their evil intention of sabotaging the peaceful life of our people through the organization of campaigns and plots to provoke explosions and disturbances aimed at destroying our country's political stability," the editorial said. But a brief three-line report published in the newspaper Wednesday said that police had arrested more than 40 suspected saboteurs since March last year. "Since March 1999, we have arrested more than 40 people who directly participated in the reactionaries' sabotage plan," said the report published under the headline: "Defeating hostile forces' explosion and sabotage campaign." It was the first time Vietnam had spoken of any arrests of suspected saboteurs since late 1997, although a group of emigre Vietnamese were deported from neighbouring Cambodia in August last year for allegedly trying to smuggle arms across the border. But the report gave no further details and officials declined to elaborate. The police referred all requests from overseas journalists to the foreign ministry, which said it was still seeking more information from the relevant authorities.

Ahead of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the communists' victory in the Vietnam War in April, officials had spoken of fears of sabotage attempts by the emigre opposition and the US State Department issued a travel advisory warning its nationals, but no arrests were ever reported. Huong's tirade against "imperialist countries" comes amid otherwise much improved relations between Hanoi and Washington following the signing of a landmark trade agreement last month.

Agence France Presse - August 18, 2000.