VietWill - Defending Vietnamese lives and borders in the South China Sea

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Who are we for? Who are we against?

As a member of VietWill, there is one thing in my mind to which I have not found an answer to, and that is:

Who am I defending? Am I defending Vietnam against China and other Southeast Asian countries? Am I defending Vietnam against China only? Or am I defending Southeast Asia against China?

The only thing I am definite about is that China is the threat. But I can't decide how the other SEA countries figure into the equation.

I want Vietnam to have sovereignty over the Paracel Islands as well as the Spratly islands, as most Vietnamese believe that these two archipelagoes belong to Vietnam. However, if Vietnam takes on China by itself, then most likely, it won't win. On the other hand, if Vietnam unites with other SEA countries to fight against China, then Vietnam cannot make equivocal statements like "Paracel and Spratly islands belong to Vietnam." No SEA country is going to go for it. Why would they risk their relationship with China just for Vietnam's interests?

For the short term, I believe that VietWill and myself can be satisfied with the fact that we are AGAINST China's aggression in the South China Sea. But as this campaign moves forward, I believe that VietWill and other similar groups need to think more carefully about who it is that they are FOR? Coming to a decision on this issue will make a whole lot of difference on how activists design and implement their campaign for peace and stability in the South China Sea. In any decision, there will be things gained and lost.

I hope my "inner conflict" will receive some input from other VietWIll members as well as guests who come to this website, in order for those who are interested in the South China Sea dispute to craft an action plan that satisfies their hearts' longing, but also is able to attain the most results.

Tony Le

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calgrad97

|03-22-2008 20:20:02

Vietnamese want both Paracel and Spratly Islands back, but this is not likely to happen. We are unable to face China alone, and if we ally ourselves with Southeast Asian nations, we have more chance to counter China, but we definitely won't be able to have it all to ourselves.

Sad !!! but well, what can you do when you are next to China.

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bibo	\|03-25-2008 12:27:20

calgrad97, nice thought but so pessimistic.

We have a right to claim for our land and sea inherited from our ancestor. We must fight for our right. Our ancestor fight Chinese invasion for thousands of year alone, why should we think that we are unable to do it by ourself?

Now, China invades just the islands, and you already say that Vietnam can't face it alone. What happen when China invade the whole Vietnam? Who will fight for us except ourselves.

We can ally with South East Asia in this battle because they have oil interest in Spratly islands, but who will have interest in the whole Vietnam? And, even if they do, are you willing to share Vietnam with them?

Don't tell me that Vietnam can be shared with non-Vietnamese

And . . . don't tell me that Vietnam is unable to face China alone because we have been doing it for thousands of years. We have more than enough proof for this.

We might have smaller land, but not br...

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chinaallergy

|04-04-2008 06:13:51

What can satisfy the greedy China?

It has always been the more Vietnam yields the more aggressive this neighbor becomes. Now facing the fact that Land and Islands piece after piece felt and falling into that hand - not to mention the threat that global warming could submerge the whole low laying coastline - The one thing every patriotic Vietnamese should be well aware: if not that piece of land we love so dear then who and what they are there FOR? who and what they are there AGAINST?

Now it is the time for proud PATRIOTISM to take place. It is the time for a heartful reconciliation. It is the time for 80-million brothers and sisters to joining hands for what has left for the so-called our motherland.
I agree "In any decision, there will be things gained and lost," however, if united we will REALLY stand.

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Tony Le

|04-04-2008 14:29:37

One thing we all can be sure is that Paracel Is. belong to VN. No other SEA countries claim it. And China has illegally seized it from VN and are occupying it. Many VNese fishermen are being attacked by Chinese navy around the Par. Is. Par. isn't even covered in the 2002 Code of Conduct. We VNese have to unite to take back the Par. Is. from China and get it to stop attacking VNese people.

The issue with the Spr. Is. is more complicated. We have to decide as to how VN should deal with the issue in light of the multiple claimants. A good strategy will help VN at least retain what it has, and forces China to refrain from making further aggressions. But I think strategically, we need to separate the Paracels and Spratlys into 2 issues. If people think that the Par. situation is the same as the Spr. situation, it's a disadvantage for VN while in fact, the Par. issue is much more simple in term of proving VN's sovereignty.

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nearlymissed

|04-05-2008 17:33:24

While fighting against Chinese aggression, we all have to keep in mind. If the issue has not been settled, it is not over yet. As long as we are persistent, your chance of winning the debate is higher. It is like a marathon...If you run short of breath easily, it is not for you...

If you love your countrymen and ancestors land, you should continue to fight every step of the way. Who cares if it's claimed by multiple other nations? Do you think there's the US of A today if those early colonies and pilgrims would have said to themselves "OK, England is too strong, we will never win." As we're all well aware, it will not be an easy road for Vietnam but each of us will need to remind ourselves that these islands have been part of Vietnamese vocabulary for as long as we exist. Don't let it lost. Let it remain that way for our children and our children's children to see.

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nearlymissed

|04-05-2008 17:39:57

I need to correct myself for the above statement to be politically correct. Don't let "them"...and let "them" remain.... (instead of it twice) as I really meant the two islands, NOT one. sometime, I think faster than I write but you know what I mean. sorry.

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Tony Le

|04-05-2008 20:02:14

What nearlymissed is saying is really at the heart of this struggle. I think for Vietnamese people, what drives them to fight is that in their heart and mind, they really believe that both of these archipelagoes are truly Vietnamese territories. This belief is what motivates many of us to fight. We don't want to just fight for one of the two archipelagoes, or Paracel + some of Spratly; but we want all of both. Undoubtedly, it will make the fight very difficult because such absolutist thinking requires greater effort, especially when we live in a world in which compromise is often the encouraged solution. If we were to ask the Vietnamese to compromise, what would be the reasons to convince them that this would be the better way to go?

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nearlymissed

|04-05-2008 21:24:01

Tony, you mentioned "...absolutist thinking requires greater effort, especially when we live in a world in which compromise is often the encouraged solution." Why do you ask others to compromise if we haven't fought a GOOD battle yet? What's about other involved nations; do they also yield in the face of bigger China? I would rather think not.
If this is a really core issue in our community, I think we need to do a better job to inform and educate our people.
We need to stand up for what is right and true. You may be right that we might not have it all in the end. However, the moment we compromise ourselves, the less credible we are as a whole. After all, we are not politicians; hence we do not make political decisions. We are soldiers of truth and we fight. For what is, "A coward dies a thousand deaths; a soldier dies but once"...Tupac Shakur

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china allergy

|04-06-2008 19:34:15

I applause both Tony and nearlymissed's points of view. Yes, persistence will definitely pay off in the end.
I believe both Paracels and Spratlys will never fade out in the heart of all Vietnamese. It is true but sad that Vietnam's historic territory will never be the same. "In any decision, there will be things gained and lost." The Paracels - in my belief one day Vietnam, in all its mighty means, will be able to finish it with that Sino.
The Spratlys, on the other hand, although we cannot and will not deny Vietnam's entirely sovereinty but due to the fact that energy nowadays is such a sensitive issue in involved claimants, we have to accept the fact of partition however ensuring that each claimant will get its fair share of the oil cake. In this way, the other countries will likely to unite for common benefits as well as their owns.

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