Vietnam concerned about South Ossetian conflict

Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese Ambassador to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voiced deep concern about the accelerated Georgian-South Ossestian conflict that led to numerous fatalities and injuries.

Addressing the UNSC's emergency meeting on August 8, Ambassador Le Luong
Minh held that the use of force cannot resolve the conflict but rather will
destroy all hopes of finding solutions.

"In that spirit, we call on both Georgia and South Ossetia to exercise
restraint, put an immediate end to military activities, strictly observe the
agreement on non-resumption of hostilities and renew direct talks aimed at
finding a comprehensive and durable solution to the situation and preventing
its relapses," he said.

At another UNSC meeting which was convened on the same day's afternoon as
the intense fighting in the region escalated to a new level, the Vietnamese
diplomat said:

"My delegation once again calls upon the parties to exercise restraint,
renounce the use of force and expeditiously resume direct dialogue to end
the hostilities."

He also affirmed Vietnam 's support to the international efforts to
help defuse the situation, restart peaceful talks and facilitate the
rehabilitation process.

"We will continue to work with the other Council members to ensure that
the Council has a timely response to the current dramatic developments in
the South Ossetian zone of conflict with a view to de-escalating tension and
bringing the parties to the negotiating table," he concluded.

On August 9, Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Le Dung also expressed
concern about the conflict in South Ossetia .

Speaking about Vietnam 's response to the fighting, Dung said, " Vietnam
calls the parties to refrain, seriously observe signed agreements and
promptly resume peaceful negotiations with a view of ensuring legitimate
interests of all parties."