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ANAHEIM, California – (Le Tin) “BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE VIETNAM
FATHERLAND! BEFORE THE SACRED SPIRIT OF VIETNAM ! BEFORE THE SPIRIT
OF OUR FOREFATHERS; I, NGUY Ê~N KHA´NH, PLEDGE TO FIGHT TO
MY LAST BREATH FOR THE INDEPENDENCE AND UNIFICATION OF OUR VIETNAM
HOMELAND! FOR THE HAPPINESS, FREEDOM, AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
OF VIETNAM ! MAY GOD WITNESS, BLESS AND GUIDE ME IN THIS ENORMOUS
MISSION !” Such was the Oath Of Office taken by the General, and
Government Of Free Vietnam Chief Of State in the presence of over
5,000 fellow countrymen on the day of the National People's Convention
Number II, solemnly held at the Anaheim Convention Center , in
Southern California, USA .
Southern California has plunged in a violent winter storm for
the last 4 days. The weather forecast was that the storm would
linger on until Tuesday of the next week. But, as an improbable
miracle, by the morning of Sunday January 2, 2005, the clouds broke
up to bring a fairly clear sky that helped the people to come to
attend the Convention in drove. By noon, the conference hall was
already filled. At 1 PM, when the ceremony began, the crowd was
overwhelming: There were people standing in the isles, in the surrounding
hallways, and squeezing at entrances. They all showed cheerful
faces. Women of all ages wore colorful traditional Vietnamese gowns
mixed with a great number of young people. The appearance and ambiance
are those of a national day of celebration.
Inside the conference hall, we saw a large stage on top of which
hung a big yellow flag with three red stripes and the Vietnam Ancestors
Altar in the middle of the stage. The altar was garnished with
flowers, fruits, incense and candles. It was flanked by a pair
of large parasols and US Nationalist Vietnam flags and the D ân
Tô?c ? (National) P arty flag (yellow circle with a white
star in the middle on a blue background).
 Numerous representatives of religious, political, media groups,
plus community dignitaries and activists were in attendance, notably
General Nguyen Khanh, former Republic of VN Head Of State, Mr.
Nguyen Huu Chanh, Secretary General of the National Party and former
Prime Minister of the Government Of Free VN (GFVN), Professor Cao
The Dung, GFVN Head Counselor and National Party Theorist, Writer
Chu Tan (Special Secretary of National Party Overseas Chapter),
the GFVN Delegation which includes officials from all institutions
of Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches: General Linh
Quang Vien, former First Deputy Premier, Admiral Lam Nguon Tanh,
fomer Second Deputy Premier cumulating Minister of National Defense,
Professor Ha the Ruyet, Ph.D., Former Third Deputy Premier cumulating
Minister of Culture and Education, Professor Ngo Trong Anh, Chairman
of GFVN Advisory Board, Professor Nguyen Huy Dau, Chairman of GFVN
Judiciary Coincil, and Lawyer Nguyen Khac Chinh, Chairman of GFVN
Legislative Branch.
Vietnamese religious leaders include: Father Phan Phat Huon, Director
General Of GFVN Chaplainry, Venerable Thich Giac Luong, Vice Chairman
of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association Second Bureau of Faith Propagation
(Phap Duyen Temple – San Jose, CA), Minister Nguyen Phu Cam, Director
of the Alhambra Christian Church, Venerable Thich Tue Uy, President
of Vietnamese Buddhist Monk and Nun Missionary Group, Nun Thich
Nu Tue Tu, Khanh Hy Temple, Reverend Thich Duc Hue, Cao Dai Scholar
Nguyen Sao Dap, Director of the Cao Dai Overseas Secular Office
(from State of Kansas), Graduate Ngoc Anh Thanh and Scholar Vo
Thanh Liem, Tay Ninh Cao Dai Shrine (from Australia), Reverends
Thich Tue Nghiem, Tue Chieu and Tue Minh, Ho Phap Temple.
Representing Vietnamese Community Groups: Brig. General le Van
Tu, former Commander of Armed Forces of the Republic of VN (ARVN)
25 th Division, currently Chairman of the Vietnamese Anti-Communist
Movement, Dr. Le Hoang, Chairman of the Vietnamese Democratic Movement
(from E. Germany), Lt Colonel Phan Van Phu Representing His Highness
Kien Hoa Buu Chanh, Mr. Bui Binh Ban. Former Community President,
Mr. Nguyen Ba Sam, past president of Minnesota VN Community, Mr.
Nguyen Duc Nhiem, Philadelphia Community president, Mr. Nguyen
Thanh Trang, Southern Cal Community President, Mr. Tran The Ngu,
Vice-President So Cal Community, Mr. Tran Dac Phu So Cal Com. Secretary
General, Mr. Ho Anh Tuan, President Committee for the Preservation
of the Nationalist Cause (CPNC) and his staff Pharmacist Bui Nhu
Hai, and Engineer Pham Ngoc Lan, Lt. Colonel Pham Ngoc Xuyen, Chairman
Refugee Action Committee, Colonel Le Van Nam, former Long An Chief
of Province, President Political Prisoner Association (PPA) Leadership
Council, Captain Le Doan, President PPA Executive Committee, Captain
Nguyen Dinh Khuong, former So Cal PPA Supervising Committee President,
Musical Composer Xuan Diem and his choir.
 Representing community activists were: Mr. Nguyen Van Loc, former
Customs Director General, Mr. Le Quang Thai from Oklahoma, uncle
of former ARVN General Ngo Quang Truong, Mr. Hoang Hoan, Mr. Cao
Minh, Dr. Nguyen Duy Cung, Dr. Doan Yen, Mrs. Nguyen Van Thanh,
widow, mother of Comrade Vo Duc Van (currently incarcerated at
Los Angeles), Mr. & Mrs Son Soul, parents of Comrade Son Nguyen
Thanh Dien (Went back to fight in VN, captured and currently serving
an 18 year sentence there), Colonels Nguyen Ung, Nguyen Van Tam,
Nguyen Linh Chieu, Phung Ngoc An, Le Thuong, the widow of late
Col. Ho Tieu (Special forces), wife of Col. Tran Van Hao, Mr. Vo
Trap, Binh Dinh Province dignitary, former President Canoga Park
Catholic Association, Lawyer Nguyen Viet Nu from San Jose, Mr.
Tran Van Hieu, Binh Dinh City Council member, Mr. Nguyen Van Bach,
former Vice-Chair Catholic Unification Movement, professors Bui
Van Som, Pham Ba Ngu, Nguyen Dai Giang, Hoai Nam, Ngo Thi Bao,
Duong Quang Trung, Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Tran Thi Kim Chung, Mr. Nguyen
Van Thanh, Catholic dignitary, Mr. Pho Cu Tran, former Vice President
Los Angeles Community, Lt. Colonels Nguyen Thi, Le van Ty, Le Nhu
Hung, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Van, former political prisoner, Musical
Composer Truong Hai, songstress Quynh Nhu.
Representing the media were: Mr. Songpol Kaopatumtip, News Editor
Sunday Perspective the Bangkok Post (from Thailand ), representing
the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Nguyen Duc Phuc Khoi, President US.
Vietnamese Journalist Association, Editor Free VN Weekly, Mr. Nguyen
Tung, Vien Xu Radio Station, Australia, Mr. Han Kim Quang, Calgary
Times Editor (from Alberta, Canada), Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Editor
Viet Bao Magazine (from Colorado), Mr. Dinh Xuan Thai, Director
Little Saigon TV, Reporter Trang Si, Lap Truong Weekly, Mr. Tran
Dong Phuong, Vice President US Vietnamese Journalist Association,
Editor Chi Linh magazine, Mr. Ly Kien Truc, Editor Van Hoa magazine,
Mr. Duy Linh, Editor Cong Luan magazine, Correspondent Thanh Tri, “Charlotte
Today” Newspaper, N. Carolina, Ms. Nhu Hao, Me VN Magazine and
Radio Station, Mr. Cao Quoc Tri, VN Hon Nuoc Website, Mr. Tran
Viet, Dan Toc Monthly, Mr. Vo Xuan Hy, Radio Free VN.
Representing non Vietnamese guests were: the Royal Government
of Laos in Exile (RGLE) delegation with 14 members heade by Mr.
Khamkien Srisouraj, RGLE National Security Council Secretary General,
Mr. Nana Kessie, representing the President of Ghana (from Ghana),
Mr. Ron Prince, Founder Of Save Our State (Protect our Borders),
Mr. Paul Nissan, Secretary General National March Against Terror,
Mr. Ted Hayes, President Global Homeless Activists, Mr. Aaron Cohen,
human rights activist (He just saved 22 Vietnamese minors from
a brothel in Cambodia), a Minister representing the Brotherhood
Organization Of “A New Destiny”, Mr. Kermit Marsh, Westminster
Council member and former Mayor Pro Tem, Mr. Dennis Catron, President
APAC, member GFVN International Support Council, former President
California Congress Of Republicans, Mr. David Hernandez, Coordinator,
National Day Of Vigilance, Mr. Dennis Mathew, President Video Conference
Network, US Veterans Affairs, Mr. Abed Jielati, President Free
Muslim Coalition, Ms. Amy Lee, Korean American Community, Mr. Alin
Hamade, Lebanese Community, Mr. Frank Fry, Westminster City Council
member, President Westminster VN War Memorial Committee, Mr. James
Bras, President Home Front Operation.
Right at the beginning of the meeting, the crowd got excited when
General Nguyen Khanh led the Government officials into the conference
hall. The Deputy Prime Ministers went out to the door to welcome
the delegation. Colonel Phung Ngoc An shouted “Military Music” and
a marching tune was played while Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh ushered General
Nguyen Khanh in.
Thousands of flag waving attendees shouted “Bravo General Nguyen
Khanh”and “Bravo Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh” endlessly.
The ceremony started with the “Report To National Ancestors” routine.,
Mr. Nguyen Van Si, the chief organizer wearing national dress (robe
and turban) stepped up to the altar, lighted incense sticks and
prayed our ancestors as well as our past heroes an heroines to
witness and bless our Convention in the midst of 3 rounds of drum
and gong toll. Next came the procession of flags. Major Nguyen
Tro commanded the flag squad comprising 6 military comrades dressed
in various military branch uniforms to come on in front of the
stage in energetic marching music.
Next, Admiral Lam Nguon Tanh, second Deputy Prime Minister, delivered
the opening speech. The Admiral thanked former Head Of State Nguyen
Khanh and the Secretary General of the National Party, Mr. Nguyen
Huu Chanh for coming to the meeting. He said this National People's
Convention Nr II is the Dien Hong drum sound that urged the overseas
Vietnamese to tighten their rank, shoulder to shoulder and hand
in hand all fellow countrymen at home and abroad prepare for a
day when we all at once stand up, remove communism from our country
and restore freedom and true prosperity for our people.
After the Admiral, came Lawyer Nguyen Khac Chinh, President of
the GFVN Legislative Council who reported the results of the previous
two day Pre-convention meetings gathering 563 delegates from all
over the world (11 countries plus Europe, Asia, Australia and 31
US States). The pre-convention meetings have:
• Passed the Charter Amendments
• Unanimously voted for General Nguyen Khanh, former
Rep. Of VN Head Of State to be the GFVN Head Of State
• Nominated Admiral Lam Nguon Tanh as candidate for
GFVN Prime Minister ???(to be decided by the Head Of State)
• Nominated Professor Nguyen huy Dau as President of
the Judiciary Committee
• Nominated Lawyer Nguyen Kim Anh as Vice-President
Of the Judiciary Committee
• Nominated Lawyer Nguyen Khac chinh as President of
the People's Representative Committee (PRC)
• Nominated Congressman Ly Truong Tran as standing
Vice-Chair of the PRC
Next up, Dr. Ha the Ruyet, Third Deputy Premier of the GFVN presented
the GFVN amended Charter to the Convention. The new Charter was
passed Jan. 1, 2005. It carries 8 chapters with 69 articles. One
of the highlights was changing the name of the Government from
Provisional GFVN”” to “GFVN”. Another one was the addition of the
Head Of State position which is the highest office in the GFVN
hierarchy. A third one was changing the name of the “National Defense
Council” to “”National Coalition Council” whose mission is to form
a broad based coalition both at home and abroad as a preparation
for the establishment of a transitional government in a democratic
and multi-party system to replace the communist government which
sure will be demolished by the revolution.
 Mr. Nguyen Huu Chanh, National Party Secretary General (Former
GFVN Prime Minister) was the next speaker. He summarized the steps
taken by the GFVN since 1995: starting as the “Revolutionary GFVN”,
changed to the “Provisional GFVN” and lately to the “GFVN”. Mr.
Chanh called those steps the process of revolution, with the latest
step calling for a charismatic Head Of State to prepare for the
day of uprising inside our country. The Secretary General told
the audience his admiration for General Nguyen Khanh whom he said
is one of the most heroic generals of the ARVN, the highest ranked
political leader of the Republic Of Vietnam with a passionate patriotism
and a solid nationalist stand. He also appreciates the general's
courage to step up to the occasion to undertake this arduous mission
despite his advanced age.
Mr. Chanh confessed that he now has the confidence to leave the
home base in the good hands of the General GFVN Head Of State and
with the Admiral GFVN Prime Minister, the trustworthy comrade he
always admires, so that he can get back to face the enemy in the
battle front. He, Mr. Chanh and General Linh Quang Vien, Deputy
Secretary General of the National Party and Lieutenant General
Ton That Dinh, Party Advisor, will not disappoint the people in
their fight to liberate and bring back freedom, democracy for Vietnam
in the year 2005. His speech, though brief, was interrupted by
many standing ovations by the excited audience.
After the explosive speech, Mr. Chanh finally presented General
Nguyen Khanh, former Rep. Of VN Head Of State as the GFVN Head
Of State newly elected by the National People's Convention Nr.
II. This brought the capacity crowd again up on their feet for
a lengthy applause.
Three young men in military uniform escorted the General Head
Of State to the stage where Lawyer nguyen Khac Chinh, President
of the People's Representative Committee and Professor Nguyen Huy
Dau, President of the Judiciary Council awaited to swear him in
as GFVN Head Of State. General Nguyen Khanh stepped up before the
Fatherland's Alter waiting for the deafening sound of drum and
gong to die down. He then solemnly recited the Oath of Office in
the sacred ambiance of the convention hall. We caught many people
with tears of joy and emotions. The General Head Of State himself
had his voice choked at times.
 After the oath of office, the new GFVN Head Of State addressed
his constituents for the first time: “Today, on the occasion of
the New Year 2005, I solemnly salute all fellow citizens inside
and outside of Vietnam . I am willing to share with you the present
worries and the strong belief that a bright future is soon coming
our way. The despotic one-party system must go down. Our noble
cause of freedom will triumph!… The light of freedom will shine
on our soil, in Hanoi , Hue , Saigon and everywhere else in our
country.” He called upon all citizens to join hands and fight for
national freedom. He added: ” We will break through the impasse
to lead our country to democracy, freedom, human rights with prosperity
and justice, and in the meantime, avoid the kind of turmoil that
could lead us to a civil war. The people of Vietnam is determined
not to kill each other any longer. Peace and stability are our
objectives. Love is our weapon. Our ancestors have taught us to
use wisdom in lieu of brutality, and let the noble cause defeat
atrocity.
My fellow citizens! We have to put those great teachings by
our forefathers into practice. Our country in the new era must
be a warm nest for all Vietnamese to live in the national spirit
of tolerance, brotherhood, and solidarity. Starting in the year
of the Rooster 2005, the great opportunity will come to the people
of Vietnam , ending 60 years of misery during which we had to live
with utmost sufferings.”
The Head Of State then announced the list of GFVN officials as
follows:
The General Directorate Of Chaplainry:
- Father Phan Phat Huon Director General Of Chaplainry
- Most Venerable Thich Giac Luong Director Of Buddhist Chaplainry
- Father Do Minh Tam Director Of Catholic Chaplainry
- Minister Nguyen Phu Cam Director Of Christian Chaplainry
- Dignitary Phan Thanh Nhan Director of Hoa Hao Buddhist Chaplainry
- Scholar Nguyen Sao Dap Director Of Cao Dai Chaplainry
- Venerable Thich Tue Uy Assistant Director Buddhist Chaplainry
- Scholar Vo Thanh Liem Assistant Director CaoDai Chaplainry
The National dvisory Council:
- Professor Ngo Trong Anh President
- Dignitary Hoang Van Minh Vice President
- Dignitary Le Quang Thai Vice President
The Judiciary Council:
- Professor Nguyen Huy Dau President
- Lawyer Nguyen Kim Anh Vice President
The People's Representative Committee:
- Lawyer Nguyen Khac Chinh President
- Congressman Ly Truong Tran Standing Vice President
 The Head Of State's next action was to sign the first decree to
appoint Admiral Lam Nguon Tanh as GFVN Prime Minister whom he then
presented to the Convention. The Admiral Prime Minister stepped
up to the stage and briefly thanked the Deputies in the People's
Representative Committee for selecting him as Prime Minister so
that he can have the chance to help the Head Of State steer our
GFVN boat to the nation's harbor of victory. The Admiral solemnly
pledged not to let the people down on this noble mission of freeing
Vietnam !
Right after his address, the Admiral Prime Minister presented
his Cabinet to the convention:
The GFVN Cabinet:
- Dr. Ha The Ruyet Deputy Premier
- Dr. Phan Van Nghia Deputy Premier (Responsibility: Inside VN)
- Colonel Tran thanh Son Minister Of National Defense (Resp. Inside
VN)
- Professor Nguyen Quoc Thai Minister Of Internal Affairs
- Lt Colonel Nguyen Van Don Minister of the Prime Minister's Office
- Comrade Truong Ngoc Thu GFVN Spokesman
- Major Gen. Nguyen Van Si Minister of Civic Services
- Professor Duong Dai Hai Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Colonel Le Thuong Minister of Veterans Affairs
- Comrade Kim Phuong Minister of Ethnics Affairs
- Comrade Chau Chuong Minister of Commerce
- Comrade Nguyen Dai Ngu Minister of Youth
- Dr. Le Hoang Assistant Min. of Foreign Affairs ( Australia )
- Colonel Phung Ngoc An Assistant Min. of National Defense
- Comrade Nguyen Tung Assistant Min. of Information ( Australia
)
- Comrade Y Bo Ya Assistant Min. of Ethnics Affairs
- Comrade Tran Thanh Cac Assistant Min. of Civic Services ( Europe
)
- Comrade Huynh Ba Phung Assistant Min. of Civic Services ( Australia
)
- Comrade Do Thanh Trung Assistant Min. of Civic Services (NW
USA )
- Comrade Pham Khiem Assistant Min. of Civic Services ( SW USA
)
- Comrade Nguyen An Hiep Assistant Min. of Civic Services (Ctr.
No. USA )
- Comrade Nguyen Hoai Nam Assistant Min. of Civic Services ( NE
USA )
- Dentist Tran Van Son Assistant Min. of Social Srrvices
- Comrade Nguyen bao An Assistant Min. of Youth (Resp. Inside
VN)
- Dr. Tran Thanh Hai Assistant Min. of Youth ( Eastern Europe
)
- Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Diep Assistant Min. of Youth ( Australia
)
- Comrade Nguyen Hoang Son Assistant Min. of Youth ( Western Europe
)
- Comrade Vu Truc Assistant Min. of Youth ( America )
- Comrade Sinh Cam Minh Assistant Min. of Youth ( America )
- Comrade Nguyen Trung Truc Assistant Min. of Youth ( America
)
 Now came the turn of non-Vietnamese speakers to address the Convention.
All of them heartily endorsed the GFVN, praised the General Head
Of State and the National Party Secretary General. They pledged
to collaborate closely with the GFVN on its endeavor to restore
freedom, democracy for Vietnam . Specially, one of them even promised
to provide us with cutting edge information technology to send
news of our activity across to everyone in the world.
Up until 6 PM, when it was time to say good-bye, many attendees
still sat there to listen to guest speakers. We know of no political
forum overseas without entertainment that attract so much of people's
attention, which proves to us that the community is very conscious
of what we do and they totally agree with the Convention.
The people left for home in the dark and a heavy rain, but all
showed happiness. Some of them said: “This is an overwhelming success!” An
older gentleman said: “Predictor Nguyen Binh Khiem's prediction:
Nguyen left then Nguyen returns is probably coming true. Because
General Khanh's last name is Nguyen. He brought with him a handful
of VN dirt.” He then added: “By the years of the Monkey and of
the Rooster we will see Peace. 2005 is the year of the Rooster!”
The crowd laughed and showed a lot of confidence and hope.
The rain is heavy now, but tomorrow will be a bright day, full
of sunshine. Our fight for independence, unification, democracy
and freedom for our country will be victorious. The Vietnam nation
will be free from communism and tyranny in the near future.
Authored by Le Tin
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