The year 2000 marks the 25th year the entire nation of Vietnam fell under the communist totalitarian rule. The year 2000 also marks the 25th year of development of the successful overseas Vietnamese community. On this occasion, 98 representatives of 52 political, religious, youth and student, professional organizations of free Vietnamese around the world have gathered in Washington, D.C., USA to attend the Solidarity Conference's Fourth Congress, on March 3,4, and 5, 2000.
Under the theme "Democracy for Vietnam: Direction for the Year 2000", the Conference has analyzed the situation of Vietnam and the world, particularly in the areas of free practice of religion, independent Media, community and youth development. In the spirit of openness and sincerity, and after direct and constructive discussions, all delegates at this Conference have agreed on the following viewpoints:
After imposing the totalitarian rule over Vietnam for a quarter of a century, the communist dictatorship is facing impasses in all aspects and is on the verge of collapse.
After 25 years of struggle for freedom, the people of Vietnam now have the most favorable conditions to regain freedom, democracy, and develop Vietnam in the new century.
The Solidarity Conference, therefore, collectively decided:
To expand our links with democratic and patriotic forces inland and abroad to build our synergy in the struggle to push back the dictatorial communist machinery and advance the democratic goal to victory.
The Solidarity Conference also decided to carry out the following tasks:
-- To campaign the international community for its support for our causes, particularly the quest for freedom of religion in Vietnam. We ourselves will support the struggle of all religious organizations in Vietnam, and promote harmony and cooperation among all religious organizations overseas.
-- To utilize all situations and tools, particularly advanced technology, to break through the blocking of information by the Vietnamese Communist Party and its monopoly over the Media. We will focus on providing adequate means to develop a movement of free press inside Vietnam.
-- To further develop the great achievements of the overseas Vietnamese community in the past 25 years to defeat all insidious ploys by Hanoi to infiltrate and weaken our community. A strong overseas community will serve as the solid base for the struggle for freedom and democracy in Vietnam.
-- To support Vietnamese youth in their effort to build stronger links with inland youth and with older generations. We particularly encourage contacts with Vietnamese exchanged students to form a youth network that can contribute to the on-going efforts for a free, democratic, and developed Vietnam.
Washington DC, March 05, 2000
(Signed by 52 member organizations)