Nhan Dan Online features an article by Party Politburo member, Minister of Public Security, General Tran Dai Quang on General Vo Nguyen Giap’s sentiment towards the People’s Public Security.

General Vo Nguyen Giap, an outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, the “Eldest Brother” of the People’s Army of Vietnam, the world-renowned military strategist and the revered general of the people, is the pride of all members of the people’s armed forces.

The life of General Vo Nguyen Giap, who is known familiarly as Brother Van, is associated with the struggle for national liberation, unification and the construction of a socialist Vietnam. During his 103-year life, General Giap dedicated more than 80 years to national independence and socialism. He made enormous contributions to the arduous yet glorious national revolution, and to the art of war of Vietnam and the world.

No matter what position he held, General Vo Nguyen Giap always devoted his entire ability, intelligence and effort to the motherland and the people. His whole life is tied to the revolution led by the Party and beloved Uncle Ho.

General Vo Nguyen Giap was the first Minister of the Interior in the provisional revolutionary government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam formed in August 1945. He continued to hold this post in the provisional coalition government formed on January 1, 1946. Facing new challenges in the struggle against counter-revolutionary elements to protect the fledgling revolutionary government, General Vo Nguyen Giap unified different units and strengthened the public security force nationwide in accordance with Decree 23-SL, signed on February 21, 1946 by President Ho Chi Minh to form the Vietnamese Public Security Department.

Under the effective leadership of the Party Central Committee and General Giap, the People’s Public Security foiled many sabotage plots and subversive activities attempted by the counter-revolutionaries, especially the coup plot hatched by the Nationalist Party of Vietnam and the French colonialists in the On Nhu Hau incident, which came at a time when the fledgling revolutionary government was on shaky ground.

General Vo Nguyen Giap gave high praise to the contributions and feats of the People’s Public Security Force at that time, saying: “The On Nhu Hau incident has put down the reactionaries. The crackdown not only crushed the opposition and foiled the coup plot but also won the approval and support of the people both at home and abroad. The On Nhu Hau is an outstanding achievement of our counterintelligence and the People’s Public Security Force. It is not only a strong blow to the reactionaries who colluded with foreign forces to seize power in Hanoi, but also an event to help everyone realise who the traitors are. The incident helps us build up more public support, enabling us to further strengthen the government. I consider this incident a very important one. You are very clever and responsible.”

General Vo Nguyen Giap stressed that the public security must always be vigilant in discovering all plots of the enemy while at the same time mobilising additional public support for the campaign against the reactionaries. The General noted that the army and the public security are involved in direct fights with the enemy, so they should be strong and healthy. He said if the officers are not on high alert and lack the morale to fight, they are unlikely to fulfil their duty. General Giap instructed: “Public security officers must always take Uncle Ho’s six teachings as the lodestar for all of their actions. Every one of Uncle Ho’s teachings is important, but there is a reason behind the order of his teachings, which teaching comes first and which teaching comes later.” The General stated: “The press in general and the press of the public security need to arouse patriotic sentiment in the people. Under any circumstances, all Vietnamese should be proud of their country and its people.”

Instilled with Uncle Ho’s teaching that “the public security and the army are the two hands of the people, Party and Government”, General Giap always paid attention to strengthening the collaboration between the People’s Army and the People’s Public Security, and affirmed that the army and the public security share the same duties of defending the nation and preserving public security. The army fights against foreign aggressors while the public security fights against domestic enemies. The two tasks are inextricably linked and cannot be separated completely.

Fully aware of the fact that people’s public security officers belong to the people, come from the people and work for the people, at the national public security conference in 1956 General Giap directed: “Public security officers belong to the people, protect the people, protect the accomplishments of the revolution so they have to forge a close link with the people. Our army is the army of the people, our army is able to defeat the enemy because we fight for the sake of the people and have the people’s backing. The public security also clinches victories because of its reliance on the people, trust in the people and unity with the people.” Nearly 40 years later, General Giap stated: “Public security officers must always be true servants of the people who protect justice, protect the administration and protect the revolutionary accomplishments.”

General Vo Nguyen Giap has passed away but his directives remain valuable to the People’s Public Security. The People’s Public Security promises to fulfil the tasks successfully and co-ordinate closely with the People’s Army and other agencies to ensure security, maintain public order, and protect the peaceful and happy life of the people.

General Vo Nguyen Giap stands as a shining example of a great personality with a blend of profound wisdom, deep humanity, immense generosity and genuine love for the people. He is a symbol of the Vietnamese people’s love for peace and fraternity; an icon for generations of public security officers to revere and follow. His career, merits and great qualities will live on forever in the heart of every member of the People’s Army and the People’s Public Security.-VNA