HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The U.S. government has strongly protested to Vietnam over the treatment of an American diplomat, the ambassador said Thursday. A media report said the human rights officer was roughed up while trying to meet with a prominent dissident. U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia said Christian Marchant, a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, was attacked by police Wednesday outside the home of Catholic priest Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly in the central city of Hue. Marchant was wrestled to the ground by authorities and later put into a police car and driven away, it said. Marchant's work on human rights was recently recognized with an award from the State Department. The U.S. Embassy did not release specific details, but outgoing Ambassador Michael Michalak confirmed that an incident occurred Wednesday in Hue. "The United States government, both here in Hanoi and in Washington, has lodged a strong, official protest with the government of Vietnam regarding the treatment of one of our diplomats," Michalak told reporters Thursday during his farewell press briefing. He called the issue a matter of grave concern, saying foreign diplomats are protected under international law. "All governments are responsible for complying fully with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, including ensuring the safety and security of diplomatic personnel," he said. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga said the government is reviewing the incident, but added that foreign diplomats also have a responsibility to abide by the host country's laws. Ly, 63, one of Vietnam's best-known dissidents, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2007 on charges of trying to undermine Vietnam's Communist government. He is now under house arrest after being released last year on medical parole. During his trial, Ly shocked the court by shouting out in protest. Photos of a police officer covering Ly's mouth to try to silence him circulated worldwide. Several members of the U.S. Congress have repeatedly called for the priest's release. The incident comes a week ahead of Vietnam's National Party Congress, when the country's new leaders will be announced. Rights groups have criticized crackdowns on dissidents, which have increased during the run-up to the event. "We think the Vietnamese police are out of control," Phil Robertson of U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said by telephone from Bangkok. He called on the Vietnamese government to properly investigate the reported incident in Hue and to take swift action in this and other cases of alleged police brutality. The U.S. government has been a loud critic of Vietnam's human rights record, urging Hanoi to stop jailing pro-democracy dissidents and to allow followers of all religions to worship freely. Michalak told reporters last month there was a spike in arrests and convictions in 2010 involving people peacefully expressing their views. Vietnam's government does not tolerate any challenge to its one-party rule. It maintains that only lawbreakers are jailed. Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Vui thiệt, qua vụ đánh đập ông tùy viên chính trị Christian Marchant, bà phát ngôn nhân Bộ Ngoại Giao VC Nguyễn Phương Nga đã trả lời như sau: "the government is reviewing the incident, but added that foreign diplomats also have a responsibility to abide by the host country's laws.", được tạm dịch như sau:"Nhà nước đang xem xét lại sự kiện đã xảy ra, nhưng đã nói thêm rằng những nhà ngoại giao cũng cần phải có trách nhiệm tuân thủ theo những luật lệ của quốc gia khách". Cái vui ở đây, làm trách nhiệm ngoại giao mà chẳng hiểu luật lệ về ngoại giao. Điều dễ hiểu, bất cứ người dân bình thường nào cũng có thể hiểu được, luật lệ về ngoại giao phải đứng trên luật pháp của quốc gia. Đằng này, bà Nga lại đi đảo ngược.
06 January 2011
# Bà Nguy?n Phuong Nga Nói Chuy?n Vui Thi?t V? V? Ông Christian Marchant
# Bà Nguyễn Phương Nga Nói Chuyện Vui Thiệt Về Vụ Ông Christian Marchant
http://mylinhng.multiply.com/journal/item/2058
Đúng là họa vô đơn chí, sự sụp đổ của chế độ CS VN mà mọi người đang tiên đoán đã đang dần trở thành sự thật. Một tên gọi là đại diện cho đất nước mà trả lời kiểu ngu dốt, kiểu trịch thượng thế này thì liên hệ ngoại giao với chúng làm gì, chúng hiểu gì luật pháp mà chơi với chúng. Hèn chi Thụy Điển đã chấm dứt bang giao với họ, nhưng vì lý do tế nhị, không muốn nói thẳng ra: "các anh là những tên độc tài, tham nhũng, vô luật lệ, chỉ biết xin tiền...chúng tôi xin chấm dứt từ đây."
Qủa thật, qủa thật, những lời nói của bà Nguyễn Phương Nga như những giọt dầu đang đổ vào ngọn lửa đang bùng cháy trong quan hệ ngoại giao Việt-Mỹ.
Ngày 6 tháng 1 năm 2011
Xin phổ biến tự do
PS: Tin tức của Associated Press:
US protests over treatment of diplomat in Vietnam
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