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Interview of Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh By RFA Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh has bean threatened by police with “the law of the jungle”
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Introduction: At 10 am, in the residence of the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hoang Minh Chinh, where he has been convalescing since his operation in the USA. Police and local authorities attended to resolve the matters of registration of temporary residence as well as explanation of the incident during which a neighbor had splattered water mixed with acid into the house last Monday. Before leaving police has relayed a message to the veteran revolutionary Hoang Minh Chinh that they would not protect those "who betray and people and the country". They warned him that if he left his residence he should be responsible for his own safety. What happened during the working session this morning? In his exchange with Viet Hung, Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh recounted the story as follows:
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Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: At 10 am today two local policemen and their chief came to see my daughter Tran Thi Minh Thanh. The parties exchanged views on the temporary residence for me and my wife, and the unlawful act of Mrs. Hai who lives opposite Thanh's family. The local policeman Ngo Van Nam said: "The people are very angry about Mr. Chinh's trip to America, and his badmouthing of the Vietnamese government, injuring the honor and sentiments of the people. Now even the Cu Chi and Hoc Mon veterans want to know the whereabouts of Mr. Chinh, that is to say the residence of Ms. Minh Thanh, in order to come and protest against Mr. Chinh for having gone to America and defame the country.
Our country is now politically stable and his action is tantamount sabotage and detrimental to the country." This means that they informed us that even the veterans in other areas, including the veterans in Hoc Mon, where the war was most intense, now wish to come to this place to protest against me and disturb the livelihood of the family of my daughter.
Viet Hung: Sir, this policeman, did he inform you officially of this matter?
Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: He went straight into the house and said so to my daughter and my wife. This policeman is the local policeman by the name of Nam. He also said:" The other day Mrs. Le Hong Ngoc said Mr. Chinh joined the revolution when he was 13, 14 years old. He joined the revolution when he was 13, 14 years old, and in the street the people including children would bow their head with respect. This should be the case. But now, if he goes to America and abuse the country, defame the regime, on the street, the people including the children would spit on him and verbally abuse him. We are the police. We only protect the private properties of citizens. We do not protect those who betray the people and harm the government. We warn Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh that if he leaves his house, he must protect himself. We do not know what may happen. He is responsible (for his own safety). We do not protect him. We do not have responsibility for the protection of Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh. It was the local policeman by the name of Nam who officially declared so to my wife and daughter.
Viet Hung: Back to the issues of registration of temporary residence, temporary absence for yourself and your family. Today is 23rd, which is the deadline allowed by the sub-district authorities. This morning, did the police address these issues?
Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: No, what they said means that my wife, my family have completed the application for the continuation of our residence.
Viet Hung: Does this mean that the authorities have agreed (meaning will not restrict the period of time) so that you and your wife can stay to convalesce, with your daughter?
Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: They did not make any decision on the continuation of our residence. They said in the present circumstances, if we stay, all these things may happen. This means that they threaten my life, my honor and my family.
Viet Hung: In the circumstances what are your plans?
Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: In the circumstances I will inform the government leadership, and I protest against all preparations to violate my personal safety, my honor and the safety and honor of my family. The circumstances indicate to me that this is not a spontaneous reaction on the part of the local authorities but it is instigated by higher authorities. The circumstances mean that the media at the centre has already made false allegations against me. Thus they have stirred anger in the people in readiness for violations against my safety and the safety of my whole family. Thus they have violated article 71 of the constitution to the effect that" the government must respect the lives, properties, honor of citizens". By making such threats they openly declare that they will do what they like regardless (of the law). They have also mobilized the people, tricked the people into violating the safety of my self and of my family and off-springs.
Viet Hung: Before we end this interview have you any other concerns to share with the people both inside and outside the country?
Mr. Hoang Minh Chinh: Yes, I have already written a complaint against the government printed press. These media outlets have received orders from the centre. They have broken criminal laws. They have violated citizens' rights. They have defamed me. Thus they have no respect for the laws of the government which postulates that if a citizen has broken a law, he must be prosecuted before a court. You have no right to defame him, or to mobilize the people and sow misunderstanding, to create hatred. Myself as this citizen am completely innocent of any crime. I only told the truth. They could not respond and thus they drummed up false allegations against me. I have lodged a complaint. The complaint is dated 31/10/2005, sent to authorities at various government levels. But they ignore it and respond with these threats. I hope public opinion inside Vietnam and world opinion would understand the truth and protect my citizens' rights. I have no other requests but due respect of the laws of the land.
I appeal to public opinion inside Vietnam, impartial public opinion inside and world public opinion to voice your concerns and request the government to observe their own laws, the constitution, citizens' rights, refrain from allowing their media to make false allegations, and even to incite the people, with a view to threaten and violate the livelihood of citizens. I believe citizens inside Vietnam, those with conscience inside Vietnam will speak up and protest. The people overseas I think have understood me. I believe they will speak up because I said on my trip overseas that the people had left Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy. The government is angry because of this. They say that those who left the country in such ways are guilty. But I say otherwise because they were forced to leave the country. They suffered a lot but they must look for freedom and democracy. That is the reason why this government has made those false allegations against me. I firmly believe the people overseas will speak up to protect me.