Directive No. 03/2004/CT-BTS on Strengthening National Defense Work in 2004

DIRECTIVE OF THE MINISTER OF AQUATIC RESOURCES

Regarding the strengthening of national defense work in 2004

Implementing Directive No. 20/2000/CT-TTg dated October 6, 2000 of the Government Prime Minister on enhancing guidance and organization of implementation of Decree No. 19/CP dated March 12, 1994 of the Government on national defense work in new circumstances, in recent years, units under the Fisheries sector have made many efforts to fulfill their national defense tasks, combining economic and social development with national defense security, especially marine fishery exploitation activities. The organization and construction of self-defense forces and reserve forces have been thoroughly implemented at all levels from the Ministry down to grassroots units. Two sea self-defense fleets and two marine transportation battalions have been organized with the best available means, ensuring the requirements and staffing standards of the military and reporting annually on the fulfillment of national defense tasks as prescribed. These activities have contributed to maintaining political stability and creating favorable conditions for the country's industrialization and modernization. However, in some grassroots units, there are still limitations in the implementation of national defense work: Some cadres and party members' understanding of national defense tasks, the combination of economic and social development with national defense consolidation, and awareness of vigilance against hostile forces' plots are not comprehensive and profound enough; guidance on national defense work is not synchronized and lacks specificity.

In 2004, the Fisheries sector must maintain a rapid growth rate, ensuring stable and sustainable development towards industrialization and modernization. The sector must continue to address new challenges and difficulties, particularly issues of maritime security, protection and development of aquatic resources, sustainable environmental protection in aquaculture, and coping with trade and technical barriers in seafood exports, especially shrimp anti-dumping lawsuits. National defense work requires innovation to meet demands and align with the production and business development process of the sector.

To enhance the quality and effectiveness of national defense work in grassroots units, based on the Self-Defense Forces Ordinance and the Reserve Forces Ordinance adopted by the Standing Committee of the 9th National Assembly on January 9, 1996 and August 27, 1996, respectively, Decree No. 19/CP dated March 12, 1994 of the Government on national defense work in new circumstances, and guiding documents of the Ministry of National Defense, in 2004, units under the Ministry shall implement the following national defense tasks:

1. Under the leadership of the Party committee, unit leaders need to focus on leading, directing, organizing, and implementing the contents of the two ordinances and Decree No. 19/CP of the Government, achieving clear changes in understanding and responsibility for national defense tasks, protecting political security and public order in units in new circumstances. In management and operation to develop fisheries economy, it is necessary to closely combine with national defense security, especially for grassroots units in coastal and island areas.

2. Unit leaders need to coordinate with local military agencies in directing, building, organizing, managing, and improving the quality of self-defense forces and reserve forces, creating favorable conditions for the stable work of full-time or part-time military staff, enabling them to effectively advise the Party committee and unit leaders on national defense security matters.

3. Grassroots units under the Ministry and Provincial Fisheries Departments need to closely cooperate with local military agencies and border guard forces in implementing the construction of defensive zones, having joint plans to carry out national defense security work in their areas; Plans for economic and social development combined with national defense security must be carried out right from the feasibility study stage, especially in coastal, border, and island areas; Organizing, managing, and improving the quality of self-defense forces and reserve forces should be appropriate to the production and business conditions of the unit, with the principle of reasonable quantity and high quality, meeting the national defense security needs of the unit. Enhancing the effectiveness of self-defense platoons, coordinating with border guards, coast guard forces, and other forces in protecting the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime security.

4. Units should intensify education and propaganda among cadres and soldiers to strive for achievements to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2004), commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the National Defense Day (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2004), and prepare for the 70th anniversary of the traditional day of the Self-Defense Forces (March 28, 1935 - March 28, 2005).

5. Unit leaders should coordinate with Party committees at all levels to plan and implement this Directive. Each year, units and companies under the Ministry must submit reports on the fulfillment of national defense security tasks to the Ministry during the annual summary period.