Vietnam Defence Forum

[William Hung]

Everyone knows metal contamination/poisonings cannot come from a redtide or other natural phenomena, it is from human causes, e.g. industrial pollution...and everyone can see the elephant in the room.

It’s the fault of the local government in Ha Tinh and the local agencies there, they didn’t do their work, or got paid to look the other way.

The problem is that the central government did not respond properly and dealt with the people who were involved (the local authorities, etc.). This caused much bigger problem than it should have been. They should have responded quicker, be transparent and deal with the problem. The central government have now put themselves in a tough position and things will just get messier. Very sad because the new PM is going to lose credential even though he deserves better.

 

[Carlosa]

Anecdotal stories are not evidences. While Formosa was fined a number of times in the past, what business that deals with industrial wastes has never been found to dump toxic matters. Take the case of the river water used in Flint, Michigan. If toxic waste was never dumped in the USA, how did the water get so polluted?

I'm not defending Formosa, and am in favor of lying heavy penalties if the company was found to dump toxic wastes into the sea even if the link to the fish deaths was never proven. However, careful investigation is necessary, instead of carrying a judgment simply to mollify the people.

Of course, I agree with you, but politics are probably going to get in the way of finding the truth in this particular case.

 

[William Hung]

Of course, I agree with you, but politics are probably going to get in the way of finding the truth in this particular case.

Can already sense what their plan is:

To penalize/prosecute Formosa, there need to be HARD evidences presented in compliance with local and international law. So just lengthen the investigation so that the evidence (e.g. pollutants) gets diluted and then finally conclude something like “we cannot find enough evidences to legally prosecute Formosa” (at that time, this statement would become true). But anyway, other damages has already been done. A silly and shortsighted mistake.

 

[Carlosa]

Can already sense what their plan is:

To penalize/prosecute Formosa, there need to be HARD evidences presented in compliance with local and international law. So just lengthen the investigation so that the evidence (e.g. pollutants) gets diluted and then finally conclude something like “we cannot find enough evidences to legally prosecute Formosa” (at that time, this statement would become true). But anyway, other damages has already been done. A silly and shortsighted mistake.

Well, Its obvious that that's what they have already done. They delayed taking samples for a number of days, then they decided to get help from foreign experts, but already too late, so its clear that the evidence is already dissolved. Maybe, just maybe, there might be evidence in the pipe itself, probably some residue of the chemicals.

They are going to raise the pipe, which is good, but are they going to actually check for residues in the pipe? Doubt it and it might be too late anyway by the time they get to raise the pipe, that will take some time.

A key factor in all of this that also speaks enough by itself is the fact that they got the local government in Ha Tinh to approve the installation of the pipe and to keep it secret, but the local government does not have authority to approve such installation, so the fact that they did so, and kept it secret shows that they got paid to do it.

The local government also did not do anything, absolutely anything during the aftermath of the episode so......... everything is very clear for those that have eyes to see and in Vietnam, people are already very experienced on these type of situations, so they can see very clearly what's going on.

I get the feeling that PM Phuc would like to say the truth, but I think a collective decision was taking by the Vietnamese government to cover up and he had to go along.

 

[Viet]

though it is not a topic that belongs to this thread, I don´t think it is wise to draw a quick conclusion that Formosa is the man with dirty hands in this particular case.

 

[Carlosa]

Vietnam Is the Focus of a Fight Between China and the U.S.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/a...s-vietnam-seeks-assurances-from-obama?ref=yfp

Dwarfed by its Communist neighbor and still bearing the scars of a war with the U.S. four decades ago, Vietnam has become a focal point of the race between the two powers for influence in the western Pacific.

The tussle over Vietnam will be on display during a three-day visit next week by President Barack Obama. The third sitting U.S. president to travel to the country since the end of the war, Obama is expected to meet with the regime’s top leaders on Monday.

The trip to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is part of U.S. efforts to preserve clout as China expands its economic and military influence across Asia and argues with countries like Vietnam over territory in the South China Sea. For its part, Vietnam will be seeking the full lifting of a U.S. weapons sales ban, more aid to clean up a dioxin used as a defoliant during the war and unexploded ordnance, and reassurances a U.S.-led Pacific trade pact will make it through Congress.

“There is a new mood in Vietnam in how it looks at America,” said Nguyen Manh Hung, professor emeritus at George Mason University in Virginia. “It is less suspicious. His visit is very important to the Vietnamese for symbolic reasons.”

TPP Doubts
Obama’s visit comes 21 years after then-President Bill Clinton normalized ties with Vietnam and a few months after the U.S., Vietnam and ten other nations signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, whose fate remains unclear amid criticism of the pact in the U.S. Senate and from presidential candidates. Vietnam, whose economy grew 6.68 percent last year, the most since 2008, seeks increased trade with the U.S. through the TPP to boost exports and reduce its economic dependence on China.

“When you look at Southeast Asia and what relationships where we’ve seen the most progress occur, Vietnam is really at the top of that list,” said Meredith Miller, a former official at the State Department’s Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. “What they can hope to hear from President Obama is that he’s doing absolutely everything in his power to see the agreement approved in a lame duck session before the next administration takes office.”

They may be Communist neighbors, but Vietnam and China have a long history of tensions. The countries fought a brief border war in 1979 and relations ruptured in the summer of 2014 after a Chinese oil rig was placed off Vietnam’s coast in the disputed Paracel islands. China, Vietnam’s largest trading partner, has angered Hanoi by flying planes on a new airstrip on islands it reclaimed in the disputed Spratly area.

Hague Case
The U.S., which is not a claimant in the South China Sea, has criticized China’s actions over territory. An arbitration court in the Hague is set to decide on a Philippine challenge to China’s claims to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, probably by mid-year, even as China declines to take part in that case.

Vietnam says it welcomes the U.S. presence in the region, though it is careful not to be pulled too far into its orbit. It still wants ties with its powerful neighbor and to avoid outside interference in its political system, said Hung, who describes U.S.-Vietnam relations as a “hesitant tango.”

Arms Embargo
Vietnamese leaders have long pushed for a full lifting of the weapons ban and Defense Secretary Ash Carter said last month he supported eliminating limits on lethal weapons sales. The U.S. partially lifted its embargo in 2014 and has hosted two defense contractor symposiums in Hanoi, the most recent May 11-13, which was attended by companies such as Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.

"We have not finalized a decision with regards to this issue,” Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser at the White House, said during a call with reporters. “We fully expect it will be a subject of discussion."

The U.S. is already providing Vietnam with six patrol boats, part of an $18 million military aid package. But conditions remain that could hinder efforts to sell weapons systems to Vietnam, whose human rights record has been criticized by members of Congress, said Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. More than 100 dissidents are detained in Vietnam, according to Human Rights Watch.

Dead Fish
Obama’s visit coincides with a rise in dissent, and rare public protests, in the country. Vietnamese in recent weeks have taken to the streets in their thousands over the deaths of millions of fish near the central Vietnam-located Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp., a unit of Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Corp. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered a probe of how the steel plant received approval to pipe waste water directly into the sea.

Police used force to break up some demonstrations May 8 and will be under pressure to ensure there’s no violence when Obama is there, said Le Hong Hiep, a visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. The government also holds its once-in-five years National Assembly election for 500 seats on Sunday, and is “determined to prevent hostile and reactionary forces from damaging the election,” according to a statement on the parliament’s website Wednesday.

“The protesters will take this opportunity to publicize their cause and send a message to the U.S.,” Hiep said. “The Vietnamese government has different tactics they can use -- block Facebook, occupy public venues to block demonstrations.”

Still, the U.S. administration will be seeking ways to build ties without the overhang of tensions over human rights.

“The impression in Washington is that Vietnam takes a very strategic view toward the region,” said Aaron Connelly, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney. “Washington sees Hanoi as a capable partner. ”

Vietnam’s economy is growing rapidly but more reforms are needed, Wally Adeyemo, White House deputy national security adviser for international economics, said in an interview.

“Having the president going to Vietnam at this point gives him the ability to go there and celebrate the progress they’ve made but also push them to make additional progress in terms of opening up their economy to foreign direct investment, reforming their SOEs, providing for the education of their populace.”

 

[Viet]

Good Morning Vietnam! Why the Russian Navy is Returning to Cam Ranh Bay


Military & Intelligence
18:05 19.05.2016

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Sean says that his country is not opposed to the Russian Navy returning to the base in Cam Ranh Bay, on the condition that its presence is not directed against any third country. Will Russia take the opportunity to regain a foothold in Southeast Asia? Svobodnaya Pressa journalist Anton Mardasov explores.

Speaking to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti earlier this week, Nguyen Thanh Sean explained that "Vietnam's policy is not to enter military alliances or to ally with any one state against another."

That being said, the ambassador added that "in this context, the use of the Cam Ranh Bay port for multilateral international cooperation for the provision of maritime transport, ship repair and the development of defense technology to ensure peace and stability in the region is an appropriate direction to take."

During the interview, Nguyen Thanh Sean also said that Hanoi plans to continue defense cooperation with Russia, and added that Vietnam has always considered Russia to be "a close country, and a traditional partner," and that a "relationship of trust with Russia is a priority of Vietnamese foreign policy."


Analyzing the diplomat's remarks, Russian journalist Anton Mardasov recalled the origins of the Soviet/Russian base at Cam Ranh Bay, and the prospects for the Russian Navy's further use of the base in an article for the independent newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa.

"It's worth recalling," the columnist wrote, "that in 1979, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam provided the naval facilities at the Cam Ranh Bay port to the Soviet Union 25 years rent-free. The Soviet military rebuilt and expanded the base. Modestly called a 'Material-Technical Support Point', the facility was actually a powerful base for the 17th Operational Squadron of the Soviet Navy."

"At any one time, the facility simultaneously hosted 8-10 surface ships, 4-8 submarines, and supply vessels. The Cam Ranh base allowed the Pacific Fleet to control the southern Pacific, and the entire Indian Ocean. In 2001, the Russian government made the decision not to renew the lease with Vietnam and to evacuate the base ahead of schedule."

Now, Mardasov noted, questions over the base have once again gained relevance, and center around the question of Moscow's readiness to reconsider its maritime role in the Asia-Pacific region. "Judging by the agreements already reached at the highest level, Moscow is ready to do so. On November 12, 2013, the presidents of Russia and Vietnam signed an agreement on establishing a joint base for the maintenance and repair of submarines at Cam Ranh."


Soon after, "in February 2014, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia would be expanding its military presence in the world: that there were negotiations on the deployment of military facilities in countries including Vietnam and Cuba, as well as 'active [negotiations] with the Seychelles, Singapore, Algeria, Cyprus, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and several other countries.' Shoigu noted that the area around the equator, and other regions of the world would be necessary to provide refueling for Russian long range aviation. In the spring of 2014, the airbase at Cam Ranh was used for the first time to carry out maintenance of Il-78 aircraft, the type used to refuel the Tu-95MS strategic bomber."


The latest development, Mardasov noted, occurred in November 2014, when "it was reported that during his visit to Russia, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong signed an agreement on the simplification of the procedure for Russian ships to make port calls to Cam Ranh." From that moment, Russian vessels would only have to notify Vietnamese authorities ahead of time to enter the port.

This, the journalist recalled, was a significant step, not least because Vietnam factually became only the second country after Syria with which Russia agreed on this kind of simplified procedure for its ships.

Since then, "some military experts have suggested that further agreements would soon be reached, on the reestablishment of a logistics point for the Russian Navy…Experts said that this would be facilitated by the fact that Vietnam is Russia's traditional partner in the military sphere. In recent years, the two sides have signed contracts worth over $4.5 billion dollars."

© Sputnik/ Igor Zarembo
A Project 636 Varshavyanka diesel-electric submarine built for the Vietnamese Navy at the shipyard in Svetly, Kaliningrad region.


Russia has already delivered 4 of 6 promised Warszawianka-class diesel submarines equipped with the Klub-S (Kalibr) missile complex, and supplied Vietnam with the Bastion mobile coastal missile complex, along with the Gorizont geosynchronous comms satellites to go along with the system. Other Russian weapons systems ordered by Hanoi include the Molnya missile boats, Gepard 3.9 patrol frigates, and Su-30MK2 all-weather long-range strike fighters.

Asked about the prospects for further cooperation, Retired Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov, the president of the Moscow-based Academy of Geopolitical Problems, who participated in the negotiations on Cam Ranh in 1998-2000, emphasized that the ambassador's words are "not just empty rhetoric."

"I believe that the Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Sean was not simply expressing his personal opinion. It's probable that some contacts between the two countries' militaries have already been made regarding Cam Ranh. In other words, he stated his country's official position, and it can be interpreted as an invitation which, in my opinion, we simply cannot refuse."


In fact, Ivashov noted, "There is no doubt that we must return to Cam Ranh. Firstly, this is one of the most comfortable and deepest bays not just on the shores of the South China Sea, but in the entire Asia-Pacific region. Secondly, the base not only has six quays for our ships, but also an airfield, built by the Soviet Union and which used to stage Soviet strategic and ASW aircraft, spy planes, and fielded an electronic tracking station."


"Today," the officer added, "we have once again begun more actively coming out onto the world's oceans, and have our own strategic interests to defend. In this regard, our military presence in the Asia-Pacific region is essential. The question is in the price."

"Under the [1979] agreement, until 2000, Russia, the successor of the USSR, did not pay anything for this base. When the Vietnamese side raised the question of a new rental agreement for the base, the Russian delegation, which I chaired, and which would later become led by then-Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, came to an agreement on favorable terms for our presence."

At that time, Ivashov recalled, the Russian side offered the Vietnamese Navy two of the six quays, use of the airfield for joint deployment, as well as several ships which had been decommissioned from the Soviet Navy. "And today too we have something to offer the Vietnamese: we are continuing to deliver a wide array of military equipment to the country."


"Actually, we should thank the Vietnamese for Cam Ranh (and the Cubans for the Lourdes facility). After all, after we left, the US immediately tried to lease these former Soviet military-technical installations and to adopt them for their own needs. However, despite these efforts by the Pentagon, the Vietnamese have not given in on the bay, and are in effect waiting for our return."

At the same time, the officer said, a Russian presence at Cam Ranh would be beneficial for Vietnam for the strategic perspective: "it dramatically increases the country's security in relation to its closest neighbors, China and the United States. We should not forget that Vietnam, in spite of its limited land area, is a large country with a rapidly growing economy, and that it is catching up with Russia in terms of population."

Ultimately, Ivashov explained, "if an agreement is reached on our return, it's obvious that Cam Ranh will be a small military facility, compared to the forces that were based there during the Soviet period. But this too would be enough." In recent years, the officer emphasized, the naval base at Syria's Tartus has given Moscow a new understanding of the importance of a permanent regional presence, achieved via naval bases. "If we want to play an influential role in the world today, we need to strengthen our military presence on other continents," Ivashov concluded.

For his part, Alexander Khramchikhin, the deputy director of the Moscow-based Institute of Political and Military Analysis, told the newspaper that he too believes in the need to return to Cam Ranh.

Moreover, the analyst noted, "it's not even necessary to keep ships there on a regular bases, especially considering that we could not do this even if we wanted to – we simply do not have enough ships. But maintaining the necessary infrastructure or even simply using Vietnamese infrastructure would be enough to provide for a military presence. Incidentally, the US doesn't find it necessary to keep dozens of ships at its bases abroad. Sometimes they are completely empty; the important thing is that the base exists, that US personnel serve there, that aircraft are based there and that ships can safely enter the base for refueling, resupply and repair."

Finally, Andrei Frolov, editor-in-chief of the Export Vooruzheny military magazine, told Svobodnaya Pressa that on the one hand, the discussions "about Russia's imminent return to Cam Ranh is still only talk. On the other, it is a good opportunity to return our country the status of a great power, for relatively little money."

"Undoubtedly, military facilities in the Asia-Pacific region would simplify the tasks of strategic aviation, and of warships of the Pacific Fleet, which head out to the Indian Ocean to combat piracy and conduct exercises with the Indian Navy. Still, in my opinion, a presence at Cam Ranh is not a question of paramount importance for Russia. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details: in any case, renting the base will cost money, and it's one thing if the Vietnamese demand tens of millions of dollars, and another if we can come to an agreement via barter."

Ultimately, Frolov noted, "at the moment, it's enough for Russia to be able to freely enter Cam Ranh – an agreement on this is already in place. Over the last 10 years Russia has not faced any serious [military] tasks in this region, and the ships of the Pacific Fleet (usually in the configuration of a large anti-submarine ship, a tanker and a rescue vessel) already have the opportunity to enter Cam Ranh to refuel."



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160519/1039907645/russia-return-vietnam-military-base-analysis.html#ixzz49BPPenL0

 

[Viet]

we are close to a historic moment:

after John McCain, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (the legislative body which oversees the US Armed Forces) signals his Okay to total lifting arms embargo, the US government is in active discussion with the Congress.

"The time has come for a full lifting of this prohibition.

Vietnam should be allowed to purchase land and sea-based platforms".

John McCain

 

[Viet]

In the Army Headquarters

what the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong wants to say to General Ngo Xuan Lich, just 3 days before the visit of Barack Obama?

...and by accident, the US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius on the same day same place?

 

[Viet]

Just landed at Hanoi Airport: Boeing C17 Globemaster with two 2 armored limousines for Barack Obama

For the safety of Barack Obama in Vietnam, the US Security Service in one of five meetings with Vietnam Central Command of Police Forces.

Probably divisions of policemen including special forces will be deployed.

one of the secret guests arriving Hanoi in preparation of the visit: CIA Director John O. Brennan

Marine One: the helicopter that transports Barack Obama.
according the latest news, 1,600 Americans accompany the visit, more than the first US combat troop that landed in Danang some time ago

 

[Viet]

to increase the firepower of T54/55 tank army, the Army reportedly seeks assistance of Russian company OmskTransMash. the Soviet era tanks would be equipped with laser guided 9M117 Bastion missiles.

 

[Viet]

Vietnam wants the third pair of Gepards from Zelenodolsk
09:00, 29.04.2016

Ak Bars holding might purchase Zelenodolsk Design Bureau this year

Photo: Roman Khasaev


Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky might continue its cooperation with Vietnam People's Navy. Deputy director general of the Zelenodolsk Plant Aleksander Karpov told about it to journalists after the ceremony of Gerard-3.9 launching. At the same time, as Realnoe Vremya found out, Ak Bars holding might have an addition very soon. It is a Design Bureau. And talks about it have been taking place for a long time. A correspondent of Realnoe Vremya knew some details of the coming deal.


Gepard-3.9 strengthens the friendship between Vietnam and Russia
A ceremonial launching of Gepard-3.9, which was designed for Vietnam People's Navy, took place in Zelenodolsk Plant named after A. M. Gorky on 27 April. Military and technical cooperation between the plant and the Asian country began as early as 2006 when a contract on construction of the first pair of Gepard-3.9 was signed. In 2011, official flag raising ceremonies of the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam.

The clients were satisfied with the quality of the first lot of frigates, and it was a reason for the further cooperation. Phạm Ngoc Minh, deputy head of the General Staff of People's Army of Vietnam and vice-Admiral, told it at the ceremony. It is remarkable that his speech was in Russian, not Vietnamese.

'I want to inform you that the ships 954 and 955 constantly serve as an armament of Vietnam People's Navy. These boats demonstrate good characteristics at sea,' the Vietnamese guest told.

The contract on the second pair of patrol frigates was signed in 2012. The first ship was ceremonially transferred to the water, but works will finish completely in one month.

The clients were satisfied with the quality of the first lot of frigates, and it was a reason for the further cooperation

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov said that the fact that Zelenodolsk Plant timely met its obligations is one of its feats. He also noted good relationships between these two countries have been maintained for tens of years.

'I want to note that always there has been cooperation, mutual support and united strategic positions between the Russian Federation and the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam. And today's event is another proof. It is no less important that you have produced two first ships and could prove that these ships guarantee a high security of the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam. It is what encouraged our partners to order new ships. It is the best proof of your labour, big work of designers and plant workers who create these ships,' Ildar Khalikov told.

The very ritual of the ship launching could not help but to follow a tradition of breaking a sacrificial bottle of champagne over the bow. As deputy director general of Zelenodolsk Plant Aleksander Karpov told later, the frigate will be transferred to the Black Sea Fleet where tests will be conducted, and then it will go to its final destination. As it has been mentioned above, the second ship will repeat this fate in a month. Antisubmarine weapon system is the main difference of the second lot of the boats.

Ildar Khalikov noted that always there has been cooperation, mutual support and united strategic positions between the Russian Federation and the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam


Ukraine heard Vietnam
During the construction of the ships, there were difficulties with turbines because the contract on their delivery was signed with Ukraine. Consequently, Zorya-Mashproyekt refused to supply the main gas-turbine aggregates to the Russian party. The deputy director general of Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky Aleksander Karpov told about it in detail.

'The Socialistic Republic of Vietnam was a party who told that these turbines were exactly for them, and Ukraine met them halfway.'

But the speaker told that the negotiations on the signing of agreements on the third pair of frigates for Vietnam are held.

'Now we were closing a certain payment stage: we launched the ship and finished pre-installation works. When they checked the state of affairs, Mr. Minh gave a high appraisal and told that these ships were better than the first pair. This is why they have a desire to sign an agreement on the third pair, in principle,' Karpov told.

According to him, the Vietnamese partners want to have ships that were Syria. They probably meant Serpukhov and Zeleny Dol equipped with Kalibr-NK long range missile launchers. The start of the construction of the ships depends on the date of the signing of the contract. The construction will take three years on average.

By Maria Gorozhaninova. Photo: Roman
Source : http://realnoevremya.com/today/396

 

[Indos]

Everyone knows metal contamination/poisonings cannot come from a redtide or other natural phenomena, it is from human causes, e.g. industrial pollution...and everyone can see the elephant in the room.

It’s the fault of the local government in Ha Tinh and the local agencies there, they didn’t do their work, or got paid to look the other way.

The problem is that the central government did not respond properly and dealt with the people who were involved (the local authorities, etc.). This caused much bigger problem than it should have been. They should have responded quicker, be transparent and deal with the problem. The central government have now put themselves in a tough position and things will just get messier. Very sad because the new PM is going to lose credential even though he deserves better.

Central government needs to intervene...

We cannot rely on local government only and you can see similar case in Jakarta Reclamation Project. Our central government does the intervening after our anti corruption body catch one of the company official (who do the reclamation) doing the bribe into Jakarta parliament member, the CEO is in custody now, a big company (and other companies CEO is under investigation, Jakarta Governor is also interrogated as witness) the media make the issue become snowball after the catch and even the media keep doing so until Today, they keep asking our universities experts that almost all of them make anti reclamation statements.

Local government and their parliament are easy to get bribed, it is also the case in Indonesia, our Anti Corruption body even find that entire local parliament members in one region get bribed by local government to pass certain law. (current news). We are still in USA Alcapone time, but thanks God we do have our own Elliot Ness (our anti corruption body) plus Media and NGO support. Our Jakarta fishermans is also fighting and united under one organisation, the leader is always contacted by our media, both print and electronic (TV).

Any government (even the corrupt one) doesnt want to see themselves loosing support from the people. It is the key. So it is the people and NGO who must pressure the central government, and the media power is crucial. But Vietnamese can use social media if it is not possible to rely on the print and electronics one to convey the intended message.

 

[Carlosa]

Central government needs to intervene...

We cannot rely on local government only and you can see similar case in Jakarta Reclamation Project. Our central government does the intervening after our anti corruption body catch one of the company official (who do the reclamation) doing the bribe into Jakarta parliament member, the CEO is in custody now, a big company (and other companies CEO is under investigation, Jakarta Governor is also interrogated as witness) the media make the issue become snowball after the catch and even the media keep doing so until Today, they keep asking our universities experts that almost all of them make anti reclamation statements.

Local government and their parliament are easy to get bribed, it is also the case in Indonesia, our Anti Corruption body even find that entire local parliament members in one region get bribed by local government to pass certain law. (current news). We are still in USA Alcapone time, but thanks God we do have our own Elliot Ness (our anti corruption body) plus Media and NGO support. Our Jakarta fishermans is also fighting and united under one organisation, the leader is always contacted by our media, both print and electronic (TV).

Any government (even the corrupt one) doesnt want to see themselves loosing support from the people. It is the key. So it is the people and NGO who must pressure the central government, and the media power is crucial. But Vietnamese can use social media if it is not possible to rely on the print and electronics one to convey the intended message.

Well said, Al Capone time is right. The problem here is there is no Elliot Ness and the government controls the press. There were demonstrations last weekend, so the government shut down facebook during the weekend. NGOs have limited power here, anyone dealing with them in anti gov issues get a visit from the police.

 

[vtnsx]

Just landed at Hanoi Airport: Boeing C17 Globemaster with two 2 armored limousines for Barack Obama

For the safety of Barack Obama in Vietnam, the US Security Service in one of five meetings with Vietnam Central Command of Police Forces.

Probably divisions of policemen including special forces will be deployed.

one of the secret guests arriving Hanoi in preparation of the visit: CIA Director John O. Brennan

Marine One: the helicopter that transports Barack Obama.
according the latest news, 1,600 Americans accompany the visit, more than the first US combat troop that landed in Danang some time ago

LOL, this is more exciting to watch than the Chinese V-Day Parade. Air force one could take the entire fleet of Chinese navy. LOL!!

Central government needs to intervene...

We cannot rely on local government only and you can see similar case in Jakarta Reclamation Project. Our central government does the intervening after our anti corruption body catch one of the company official (who do the reclamation) doing the bribe into Jakarta parliament member, the CEO is in custody now, a big company (and other companies CEO is under investigation, Jakarta Governor is also interrogated as witness) the media make the issue become snowball after the catch and even the media keep doing so until Today, they keep asking our universities experts that almost all of them make anti reclamation statements.

Local government and their parliament are easy to get bribed, it is also the case in Indonesia, our Anti Corruption body even find that entire local parliament members in one region get bribed by local government to pass certain law. (current news). We are still in USA Alcapone time, but thanks God we do have our own Elliot Ness (our anti corruption body) plus Media and NGO support. Our Jakarta fishermans is also fighting and united under one organisation, the leader is always contacted by our media, both print and electronic (TV).

Any government (even the corrupt one) doesnt want to see themselves loosing support from the people. It is the key. So it is the people and NGO who must pressure the central government, and the media power is crucial. But Vietnamese can use social media if it is not possible to rely on the print and electronics one to convey the intended message.

Those "media" people in Vietnam used to get arrested and jailed before. Vietnam is so f.ked up before because the government wants to hide everything from the public. Corruption to the core.