Vietnam supports MINURCAT implementation of mandate

New York (VNA) - A Vietnamese representative to the UN Security Council has
welcomed the transfer of military and security responsibilities from the European
Union Force (EUFOR) to the United Nations Mission in the Central African
Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) on March 15, 2009.

Speaking at the Council's session on Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR)
in New York on March 17, Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, Deputy Permanent
Representative to the Council, reiterates Vietnam 's strong support for MINURCAT
in the discharge of its mandate in accordance with Resolution 1861.

"It is our hope that in this transition period, MINURCAT will make the most of its
available resources and cooperate closely with the Governments of Chad and the CAR
as well as other UN Missions in the sub-region in order to ensure the effective
implementation of its mandate, especially in the protection of civilians and
enhancing the humanitarian situation on the ground," the Vietnamese diplomat said.

The Vietnamese representative also took the occasion to express his concern about
the volatile security situation along the Chad-Sudan border and recent tensions in
the two countries' relations.

Trung called on all the parties concerned to refrain from actions likely to
undermine peace and stability in the sub-region and expressed his support for the
ongoing efforts made by the African Union (AU) in resolving the diplomatic impasse
between Chad and Sudan.-Enditem