General Cuong: 'What is so secret about the Formosa project?'

(Baonghean.vn) - On February 22, the Central Inspection Committee announced a number of inspection contents when there were signs of violations against collectives and individuals who lacked responsibility in leadership and direction; loosened management and operation; lacked inspection and supervision leading to violations in appraisal, approval, licensing and state management of the Formosa Ha Tinh project.

Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong - Former Director of the Institute of Strategy and Science of the Ministry of Public Security about some contents related to this issue.

Associate Professor, Doctor, Major General Le Van Cuong talked about current events at the meeting of special collaborators of Nghe An Newspaper 2015. Here, he predicted some environmental issues of the Formosa Ha Tinh project. Photo: Archive.

Reporter: In 2015, the Major General predicted that the Formosa Ha Tinh Project, if not careful, would cause an environmental disaster. Why did you predict this a year before it happened?

Major General Le Van Cuong:I have two important sources of information since 2013. The first source is information about Formosa Group, this group does not only work in steel, but also many other things. Many places in the world have rejected this group, including the US and Cambodia, because of its weak outdated technology and ability to handle pollution. The second source is provided to me by my friends in Ha Tinh and related agencies. This project does not have modern technology.

Major General Le Van Cuong during a discussion on international current affairs at the Nghe An Newspaper Office. Photo: Archive.

Reporter: The press and media have talked a lot about the cause of Formosa, can you briefly summarize?

Major General Le Van Cuong:There are direct and indirect causes. The direct cause is that the environmental treatment system of Formosa Group is not up to standard, not complete and causing harm to the marine environment. The leaders of this group bowed their heads to apologize to the State, apologize to the Vietnamese people, and the people of Ha Tinh for this.

The indirect but extremely important cause is that the state management of Vietnam, first of all, the leaders of Ha Tinh have been irresponsible and not serious in appraising large projects. If the province is not qualified, it must invite central agencies, if the country cannot do it, it must invite world experts. It can be said right away that some leaders of Ha Tinh are extremely irresponsible, this cannot be avoided. I do not conclude about ethics, but about responsibility, they have not fulfilled their responsibilities as party members, have not fulfilled their responsibilities as local leaders.

At the central level, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible to the Government, but they have not fulfilled their responsibilities. Through this incident, I see the need to review the regulations on public service activities of ministries, branches, and localities. Because of the lack of responsibility, the consequences are very serious and long-term, this has been discussed a lot in the press.

Reporter: Can the Major General tell us why the inspection announcement is only now being made when there are signs of violations against groups and individuals related to the Formosa Ha Tinh project disaster?

Major General Le Van Cuong:The Formosa Ha Tinh project disaster involved many officials at the central and local levels, directly involving a series of agencies. This is a major disaster, and we cannot rush to do it right away. Therefore, the way we investigate and handle it is not slow. The Party Central Committee and the Politburo have prepared carefully. I think a major problem, involving the apparatus of a province and many central ministries and branches, is not easy to do. Finding evidence and convincing conclusions is not easy at all. The important thing is to convince the people of the serious and strict way the Party and State are working.

Reporter: In your opinion, what level of disciplinary action is needed? What do you think about our Party's determination to handle officials who commit violations, especially in the context of our Party implementing Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee?

Major General Le Van Cuong:So far, the Central Inspection Commission has only made initial announcements about the groups and individuals responsible for the case. So far, there has been no final conclusion and no determination of the form and level of punishment. From here, we will continue to consolidate the evidence. If there is a criminal violation, then criminal action will be taken; if there is an administrative violation, then administrative action will be taken. I hope that the Government, based on the conclusion of the Central Inspection Commission, will strictly handle this case to strengthen the people's trust in the Party.

I have full confidence that the Politburo and the Secretariat will seriously and resolutely direct the handling of violators in accordance with the law and administrative regulations, and will never protect those who have degenerated and lost the people's trust. Up to now, our Party has always stood on the side of the people and protected the people. And up to now, I have full confidence that the Party and the State will stand on the side of the people. I believe that the relevant central and local collectives and individuals need to be strictly punished to strengthen trust in the Party. It is necessary to consider and remove some qualifications and positions for individuals who have lacked responsibility and caused serious consequences, including Mr. Vo Kim Cu.

The problem of corruption did not appear overnight. Through 8 Congresses, our Party has always paid attention to the issue of anti-corruption. After the 12th Congress, I felt a very special atmosphere. Never before has the political determination of the Communist Party of Vietnam to prevent and repel bureaucracy, corruption, waste, and degeneration among Party members and cadres been as fierce as it is now. Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee is a document that has great power to convince Party members and cadres, fully pointing out the manifestations of corruption and degeneration in the Party, providing a complete and most comprehensive system of solutions ever. For the first time in the history of our Party, the General Secretary has directly directed many major cases like today. The handling of the disaster caused by the Formosa Ha Tinh project also had the direct opinion of the General Secretary.

Pv:According to the Major General, what lessons can be drawn from the Formosa Ha Tinh project disaster?

Major General Le Van Cuong:The first,It is necessary to review all legal documents related to foreign investment in Vietnam. Many opinions say that the current bidding law only cares about price, not quality and technology, so dozens of projects with old technology invested in Vietnam are caused by the limitations of the Investment Law and its implementation. It is necessary to remember that China always bids low, but raises the price higher. Therefore, the National Assembly and the Government must review all legal documents on this issue.

Monday,It is necessary to strengthen the power monitoring system. The Formosa Ha Tinh project is a billion-dollar project, with serious violations and mistakes, but the collectives and individuals of the central ministries and branches, and Ha Tinh, have "let it slip through" and "let it go". On this planet, in the past 5,000 years, if power is not closely monitored, it will degenerate. Therefore, wherever power is transferred, it must be checked.

Tuesday,must be transparent, must be public. What is there to be secret about this project, why is it not public? It must be put online, many seminars must be organized. We are not doing it transparently, not allowing scientists, experts at home and abroad, and people to participate in supervision. If it is not public, it will only benefit a few individuals.

Wednesday,The State, directly the Government, must create conditions for the media system to access information, to promptly reflect signs of wrongdoing, violations, and to detect and warn of mistakes. It must create conditions for the press to get involved in detecting mistakes and speaking up at the right time. If we are open, transparent, and create conditions for the genuine press to get involved, the Party will be strong and the people will believe.

Reporter: Thank you very much, Major General, for this interview!

Chi Linh Son

(Perform)