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== NATIONAL SECURITY ==
== NATIONAL SECURITY ==
'''Armed Forces Overview:''' Since Vietnam fought against the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia
Armed Forces Overview: Since Vietnam fought against the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia
in 1978–89, it has demobilized about 500,000 troops and cut military spending. Still, Vietnam
in 1978–89, it has demobilized about 500,000 troops and cut military spending. Still, Vietnam
has one of the region’s largest and most powerful militaries. Furthermore, the People’s Army of
has one of the region’s largest and most powerful militaries. Furthermore, the People’s Army of
powers as France, the United States, and China and its deep roots in society.
powers as France, the United States, and China and its deep roots in society.
Foreign Military Relations: Vietnam cooperates militarily with India and China. Vietnam
'''Foreign Military Relations:''' Vietnam cooperates militarily with India and China. Vietnam
advises India on how to combat guerrilla warfare. India helps maintain Vietnam’s MiG fighter
advises India on how to combat guerrilla warfare. India helps maintain Vietnam’s MiG fighter
planes and helps Vietnam manufacture small- and medium-sized weapons. In 2001 Vietnam
planes and helps Vietnam manufacture small- and medium-sized weapons. In 2001 Vietnam
could not afford the expense.
could not afford the expense.
External Threat: Despite having fought a border war with China in 1979, Vietnam does not
'''External Threat:''' Despite having fought a border war with China in 1979, Vietnam does not
face an identifiable military enemy. However, sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in
face an identifiable military enemy. However, sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in
the South China Sea remains in dispute with China and several other nations. In addition,
the South China Sea remains in dispute with China and several other nations. In addition,
Cambodia and Laos have protested incursions by Vietnamese squatters.
Cambodia and Laos have protested incursions by Vietnamese squatters.
Defense Budget: In 2003 Vietnam’s defense budget was estimated at US$2.3 billion.
'''Defense Budget:''' In 2003 Vietnam’s defense budget was estimated at US$2.3 billion.
Major Military Units: Vietnam’s active-duty military consists of a 412,000-member army, a
'''Major Military Units:''' Vietnam’s active-duty military consists of a 412,000-member army, a
42,000-member navy, a 30,000-member air and air defense force, and a 40,000-member
42,000-member navy, a 30,000-member air and air defense force, and a 40,000-member
paramilitary border defense corps. The army, which is deployed in nine military regions
paramilitary border defense corps. The army, which is deployed in nine military regions
three regiments.
three regiments.
Major Military Equipment: The army is equipped with 1,315 main battle tanks, 620 light
'''Major Military Equipment:''' The army is equipped with 1,315 main battle tanks, 620 light
tanks, 100 reconnaissance vehicles, 300 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 1,380 armored
tanks, 100 reconnaissance vehicles, 300 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 1,380 armored
personnel carriers, 2,300 towed artillery, and more than 30 self-propelled artillery. The army also
personnel carriers, 2,300 towed artillery, and more than 30 self-propelled artillery. The army also
mortars, surface-to-surface missiles, antitank guided weapons, recoilless launchers, air defense
mortars, surface-to-surface missiles, antitank guided weapons, recoilless launchers, air defense
guns, and surface-to-air missiles. The navy has 2 Yugo-class submarines, 6 frigates, 1 corvette,
guns, and surface-to-air missiles. The navy has 2 Yugo-class submarines, 6 frigates, 1 corvette,
12 missile craft, 10 torpedo craft, 19 inshore patrol combatants, 10 mine warfare ships, 6
12 missile craft, 10 torpedo craft, 19 inshore patrol combatants, 10 mine warfare ships, 6
amphibious ships, and at least 30 support craft. The People’s Air Force has 189 combat aircraft
amphibious ships, and at least 30 support craft. The People’s Air Force has 189 combat aircraft
(53 Su–22, 12 Su–27, and 124 MiG–21) and 26 Mi–24 armed helicopters.
(53 Su–22, 12 Su–27, and 124 MiG–21) and 26 Mi–24 armed helicopters.
Military Service: Military service is compulsory, usually for two years. In late 2001, Vietnam
'''Military Service:''' Military service is compulsory, usually for two years. In late 2001, Vietnam
reinstated the requirement that women register for military service. However, barring an
reinstated the requirement that women register for military service. However, barring an
emergency mobilization, they are unlikely to be called up. Mandatory military service for
emergency mobilization, they are unlikely to be called up. Mandatory military service for
women had been abandoned in 1975 at the end of the nation’s civil war.
women had been abandoned in 1975 at the end of the nation’s civil war.
Paramilitary Forces: Vietnam has a 4-million to 5-million-member paramilitary reserve force,
'''Paramilitary Forces:''' Vietnam has a 4-million to 5-million-member paramilitary reserve force,
consisting of the People’s Self-Defense Force and the rural People’s Militia.
consisting of the People’s Self-Defense Force and the rural People’s Militia.
Police: The Ministry of Public Security controls the police, a national security investigative
'''Police:''' The Ministry of Public Security controls the police, a national security investigative agency, and other units that maintain internal security.
agency, and other units that maintain internal security.
Internal Threat: The government seeks to prevent the expression of views critical of the
'''Internal Threat:''' The government seeks to prevent the expression of views critical of the
government and non-sanctioned religious worship. When some dissidents sought to evade
government and non-sanctioned religious worship. When some dissidents sought to evade
official media controls by using the Internet to disseminate their views, the government
official media controls by using the Internet to disseminate their views, the government
press commentary, it does not pose a threat to the regime’s stability.
press commentary, it does not pose a threat to the regime’s stability.
The Montagnard ethnic minority represents a special case. This group is seeking a return of its
The Montagnard ethnic minority represents a special case. This group is seeking a return of its
government boosted its security presence in the region.
government boosted its security presence in the region.
Terrorism: Following al Qaeda’s attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, Vietnam
'''Terrorism:''' Following al Qaeda’s attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, Vietnam
expressed sympathy for the victims and qualified support for the war on terrorism. Vietnam
expressed sympathy for the victims and qualified support for the war on terrorism. Vietnam
urged that any steps taken against terrorists be consistent with international cooperation within
urged that any steps taken against terrorists be consistent with international cooperation within
the bounds of the United Nations Charter, target the culprits, and avoid larger-scale warfare.
the bounds of the United Nations Charter, target the culprits, and avoid larger-scale warfare.
In April 2004, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued a draft decree to combat money
In April 2004, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued a draft decree to combat money
international terrorism.
international terrorism.
Human Rights: In its 2004 report on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State
'''Human Rights:''' In its 2004 report on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State
characterized Vietnam’s human rights record as “poor” and cited the continuation of “serious
characterized Vietnam’s human rights record as “poor” and cited the continuation of “serious
abuses.” According to the report, the government has imposed restrictions on freedom of speech,
abuses.” According to the report, the government has imposed restrictions on freedom of speech,
unduly so given the country's level of economic development,” according to the State
unduly so given the country's level of economic development,” according to the State
Department assessment. Vietnam has no independent judiciary, and there is no right to a fair and
Department assessment. Vietnam has no independent judiciary, and there is no right to a fair and
speedy trial. Human rights organizations are not permitted to operate. Discrimination against
speedy trial. Human rights organizations are not permitted to operate. Discrimination against
women and ethnic minorities, child labor, and prostitution are serious problems. The government
women and ethnic minorities, child labor, and prostitution are serious problems. The government
is attempting to address the child labor issue.
is attempting to address the child labor issue.
The government officially provides for freedom of religion and recognizes Buddhist, Roman
The government officially provides for freedom of religion and recognizes Buddhist, Roman
appointments, for example) in the interest of “national unity.”
appointments, for example) in the interest of “national unity.”
In April 2004, 20,000 to 30,000 members of the Montagnard ethnic minority gathered to protest
In April 2004, 20,000 to 30,000 members of the Montagnard ethnic minority gathered to protest
the Montagnards are seeking an independent state.
the Montagnards are seeking an independent state.
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