Foreign ministry refutes claims ethnic discrimination the cause of terrorist attacks in Dak Lak

Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on Thursday refuted claims that ethnic discrimination was the cause of the fatal attacks on official buildings in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak that killed nine people.

The armed violence perpetrated by two groups of people armed with guns and homemade weapons, which took place on the morning of June 11 in Cu Kuin district and claimed the lives of four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians, was characterised by the Ministry of Public Security as a terrorist attack.

A member of a U.S.-based organization was among the nearly 70 suspects detained, who had received orders to stage the attacks, a public security official said, calling on international organizations and countries to cooperate closely with Vietnam in the investigation.

"This is a serious organized radical act violating social order and security and will be handled in accordance with the law," spokesperson Hang stated.

In recent talks with Minister of Public Security To Lam, U.S. Ambassador to Vetnam Marc Knapper stressed that the U.S. opposes, condemns, and does not condone any organization or individual involved in the incident that occurred in Dak Lak.

Ambassador Knapper expressed his hope that Vietnam will provide information on the incident and commit to cooperating with the U.S. to reveal the truth about the connection between any individuals or organizations currently in the U.S. and terrorism or anti-government activities in Vietnam.

The diplomat pledged that the U.S. will support Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in sharing information to clarify the incident and prevent similar incidents from occurring, which could affect the relationship between the two countries.

Six people from Dak Lak are on a "special wanted" list for terrorism - Y Hual E Ban, 53, E De ethnicity; Nay Duong, 55, Gia Rai ethnicity; Nay Yen, 53, Gia Rai and Nay Tam, 49, Gia Rai - Nay Duong's brothers; Y Khing Lieng, 31, M'Nong ethnicity; and Y Ju Nie, 55, E De ethnicity.

According to the wanted notice, anyone has the right to arrest the suspects and bring them to the nearest police station, prosecutor's office, or people's committee.

After arresting or receiving the wanted person, they must immediately report to the provincial security investigation agency of Dak Lak police at 58 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Tu An ward, Buon Ma Thuot city, on 0694389133.

Nuclear wastewater

The foreign ministry's representative was also asked for a reaction from Vietnam as a coastal country, regarding the recent announcement from Japan on its decision to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima plant. The plant suffered serious damage in a 2011 tsunami. The water treatment was given approval by the United Nations' nuclear supervisory body the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) after a field inspection.

Several nations in northeastern Asia and Pacific islands have voiced their objections.

"Vietnam believes that the responsibility to ensure the safety and security belongs to each country using nuclear energy. At the same time we call on closer international cooperation, transparency, and information sharing and responsible action in the case of incidents," Hang said.

"Vietnam attaches great importance to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, and the protection of maritime environment and resources in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and related regulations from the International Atomic Energy Agency," she remarked.

Riots in France

Regarding riots in France, the Vietnamese embassy in France is closely following the situation and has set up hotlines as well as timely support for any Vietnamese citizens who are in need of help.

"So far we have not received any information about Vietnamese citizens being affected by these riots," Hang said.

"Acting on the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese embassy in France has a number of recommendations for citizens currently residing in France," she added.

In cases of emergencies, Vietnamese citizens can call the hotline of the Vietnamese embassy in France or its citizen protection hotline, with the numbers published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consular Department, as well as the website of the Vietnamese Embassy in France.