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Post date: Nov 1, 2011 1:43:53 PM
February 25, 2004
Bach Ma, 10542 Greta Circle
CYPRESS - CALIFORNIA 93630
Dear Editor (Bach Ma):
Since you mentioned my name in your newsletter (Bach Ma, December 2003, issue # 43), I have no other choice but to express my opinion in order to avoid any further misunderstanding concerning the meeting amongst Mr. Vinh Dao, Nguyen Tan De and myself at the 6th Thang Tien Jamboree in Virginia, USA, in June 1998, on the subject of hoisting the yellow flag with three stripes of the former Republic of Vietnam at official Scout functions.
Section 1, Article 1 of the Constitution of Scout Movement clearly defines that “The Scout Movement is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the Founder and stated below”.
Furthermore, Section 1, Article IV of the same constitution states: “The Organisation of the Scout Movement at world level is governed by this constitution under the title of The Organisation of the Scout Movement as an independent, nonpolitical, non-governemental organisation”.
Of course, violation of this constitution is subject to investigation by the World Scout Committee and the World Scout Bureau is the implementing arm carrying out the decisions of the World Scout Committee and the World Scout Conference.
During my tenure as the Regional Director of the World Scout Bureau’s Asia Pacific Region, I attended two Vietnamese Jamborees, one in Australia, December 1995 and the 6th Thang Tien Jamboree in Virginia, U.S.A. in June 1998, out of my love of Scouting and Vietnamese people. I expressed my concern over the act of hoisting the yellow flag of the former Republic of Vietnam at official Scout gatherings. I officially pointed out this political act to Mr. Vinh Dao, the then Chairman of International Committee of Vietnamese Scouting, the only organ that the World Bureau is dealing with matters related to Scouting in Vietnam.
I strongly believe that the question of the yellow flag was not Nguyen Tan De’s issue of concern. Your article is far twisted from the truth and created misunderstanding amongst Vietnamese Scouts and leaders who read your newsletter. I would ask you to retract your article and publish this letter in your “Bach Ma” newsletter, so that Vietnamese Scout leaders abroad would understand the issue clearly.
Moreover, the action of hoisting the yellow flag will harm thousands of Scouts in Vietnam, who are carrying out Scouting under the constant surveillance by the communist authorities, who are extremely sensitive to Scouting activities in the southern part of Vietnam. Their every intention is to find out possible clues if Scouts are connected with any anti-communist elements outside Vietnam and to suppress them. We must be concerned about the well-being of Scouts in Vietnam by not creating any adverse situation, such as hoisting yellow flag at Scouts events, which is detrimental to our brothers and sisters who are living under limited freedom. We, including myself who fought in Vietnam along with US and ROV Forces in 1966-68, prefer to see a democratic government in Vietnam. However, restoring a democratic government in Vietnam is certainly not the task of Scouting whether you are in Vietnam, in US or in Australia.
Also, I am questioning you what is your motive to print only a part of the e-mail that Nguyen Tan De sent to me on May 23, 2003? Why not print the entire e-mail, so it would not be out of context? As an Editor, it is un-ethical to print or use other people’s personal e-mail withour their knowledge or permission. I demand you to explain how and where you obtained this e-mail. Moreover, you do not have my permission to use or quote my personal e-mail. I am sure Nguyen Tan De feels the same way.
May God bless Scouting in Vietnam!
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Kim Kyu-Young
Former Regional Director, APR-Region - 138-20, Yonhi-dong, Seodaemun-ku - SEOUL. 120-113 KOREA
C.C.: Vinh Dao
Nguyen Tan De
Nguyen Van Thuat, ICCVS
Perkins, Mann & Everett, Attorney at Law
Enclosures
Scouts abound:
Source of Mr. Kim Kyu-Young's letter: Thư gởi chủ nhiệm BM, http://voigia.over-blog.com/article-1325587.html accessed on October 1st, 2011
Illustration image: Patch of the 6th Thang Tien Jamboree in Virginia, U.S.A. in June 1998.
Editor of Bach Ma (a scouts magazine in Vietnamese published in the USA) is former scouter Tôn Thất Hy.
KIM KYU-YOUNG
World Scout Bureau
Regional Director, Asia-Pacific Regional Office
Kim Kyu-Young has been serving the Scout Movement for over 30 years. During his term as Regional Director since 1990, regional membership has soared from 8 million to 19.5 million. Scout associations in the region – he has travelled to 30 countries and territories across Asia and the Pacific have benefited from his initiatives in organizational leadership, developing resources, establishing Scout Foundations and registration systems, adult resources management, information technology, and relationships.
As Secretary General of Boy Scouts of Korea, he played a key role in the planning stages of the 17th World Scout Jamboree in 1991. In addition he has helped to organize several Asia-Pacific Jamborees and other youth events. The publication by the Asia-Pacific Region of a guide to planning large Scout events was largely due to his inspiration and persistence.
Kim Kyu-Young’s services are anchored on strong leadership, management and relationships, leading to strengthening of regional solidarity and cooperation.
As interlocutor and team leader, he has provided opportunities for capacity building for individuals (volunteers and professionals) and for National Scout Associations.
Source: 36th World Scout Conference- Bronze Wolf - CITATIONS 1999-2002, p. 8
Read Vietnamese version translated by Scouts abound here.
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