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Vietnam downplays security concerns, but troop presence says otherwise |
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April 29, 2000
HO CHI MINH CITY, APR 28 (UNB/AP) - The government downplayed security concerns for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam War's end, despite the presence of armed troops and the scaling back of what had been planned as a major street parade.
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Streets in this southern city formerly known as Saigon were filled with bright colored bunting proclaiming the anniversary of Vietnam's victory, along with North Vietnamese and Communist Party flags and photos of the legendary communist hero Ho Chi Minh.
Vietnam clearly views Sunday's events as an opportunity to bolster patriotism - and possibly generate increased aid from abroad as foreign media attention is focused on the impoverished nation, which still battles the long-term effects of the war.
The country's leaders also have become increasingly nervous about the prospect of something going wrong, particularly as hundreds of foreign journalists have poured in.
Officials refused to comment directly on the possibility of a terrorist attack by Vietnamese exiles who remain opposed to the country's communist government.
A suspected bomb plot by Free Vietnam, an opposition group, was uncovered in February in Cambodia; one member was arrested with explosives and propaganda materials near the Thai-Cambodian border, officials reported.
The U.S. State Department last month alerted Americans working in Vietnam and tourists of possible attacks on foreign businesses aimed at disrupting the anniversary celebrations.
As is often the case in a country where all local media is government controlled, what officials don't say can be more telling than their public pronouncements.
Le Thanh Hai, deputy mayor of Ho Chi Minh City, told a news conference Thursday that no extra police or troops would be deployed leading up to the anniversary. But he would not elaborate on whether this would be the case on Sunday and refused to answer questions on the February arrests.
"The reality is that on the occasion of big events, there are bad elements who wish to disrupt the smooth celebrations of the people," he said.
It is extremely rare in Vietnam to see armed troops outside military bases. But soldiers with assault rifles have been spotted on night patrol at Lam Son Square, the center of the downtown area, throughout the week, some crouched behind trees and planters.
By dusk, police had cordoned off the streets leading toward the palace for a four-hour dress rehearsal, creating chaos in streets already choked with motorbikes.
The government scaled back plans for a massive street parade.
Hai acknowledged the parade would be limited to the palace grounds. He cited the palace's historic significance and a savings of dlrs 70,000 instead of security concerns as the reason for reducing the size of the parade.
At Reunification Palace, known as the Presidential Palace when North Vietnamese tanks broke through the gates, was bustling with activity Thursday. Workers were painting the walls and installing telephone lines for live national television coverage.
For many Vietnamese, Sunday will be a day of happiness, with 20,000 expected to march in the dawn parade, the centerpiece of festivities marking Vietnam's ouster of foreign troops and the then-divided country's reunification.
"I'm very excited because we are celebrating national reunification," said Nguyen Cong Hien, a security guard at the palace.
But for Khanh Siu, 26, of Seattle, who grew up in Vietnam but left for the United States when she was 17, the festivities held no interest. Returning for vacation, she planned to spend the weekend at Vietnam's beaches.
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