To continue to defend the homeland requires that Vietnam build the entire-population defense and a strong people’s army, said State President Tran Duc Luong at a meeting in Hanoi on December 20 to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army and the 15th anniversary of the Entire-Population Defense Festival (December 22).
He said Vietnam People’s Army must have a firm political ideology and be a regular and elite army. In peace, Vietnam’s armed forces should actively engage in socio-economic development and contribute to the country’s renewal cause, Mr. Luong said.
The President also praised the Vietnam People’s Army’s loyalty to the Party, the Government and people, noting the glorious victories it has achieved.
He called upon the armed forces to be alert to all schemes including “peaceful evolution” plot of hostile forces attempting to cause social unrest and divide the country, to interfere in Vietnam’s internal affairs, to undermine the country’s national unity, territorial integrity or sovereignty.
Addressing the meeting, Defense Minister Pham Van Tra said the Party, the Government and people can always rely on Vietnam People’s Army in the cause of national construction and defense.
In a separate meeting with soldiers, commanders and heroes of the people’s armed forces in Hanoi on December 16, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh told that Uncle Ho’s soldiers had made history and glorious victories of the Vietnamese army and established a tradition worthy of Uncle Ho’s compliment “Our army is loyal to the Party, faithful to the people, ready to fight for the Fatherland’s independence, freedom and socialism, ready to fulfill any task, overcome any difficulty and defeat any enemy”.-