On the afternoon of May 26, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, authorized by the Prime Minister, presented the Report on the draft Law on Management and Protection of National Defense Works and Military Zones.

A national defense project is an architectural work, object, terrain, natural terrain that is available or built or renovated to serve military, national defense, and national defense activities. A military zone is an area limited by boundaries on the ground, underground, on the water surface, underwater, or in the air that is established and determined to be used exclusively for military purposes.

Article 17 of the draft law stipulates that people and vehicles with duties and permission from competent authorities are allowed to enter and exit restricted areas; must carry entry and exit permits, personal papers, vehicle registration papers and be subject to inspection and guidance by security forces.

The Government proposes to strictly prohibit the acts of filming, photographing, recording, investigating, surveying, locating, measuring, recording, describing, posting, and disseminating on mass media, the Internet, computer networks, and telecommunications networks about defense works and military zones, except in cases permitted by competent authorities.

In the protection area of ​​national defense works and military zones, the Special Group is only allowed to carry out agricultural, forestry, fishery and salt production activities by individuals and households residing permanently within the above protection area, but must not deform the natural terrain.

Within the safety belt of defense works and military zones of the Special Group (defense works and military zones of special importance must apply especially strict management and protection measures to ensure absolute secrecy and safety), investment activities for socio-economic development are carried out according to local planning and comply with relevant legal provisions.

Activities of exploiting forest resources, minerals, construction materials, opening new or expanding tourist sites and investment projects for socio-economic development must seek opinions and receive written approval from the Ministry of National Defense. Investment projects of foreign investors and economic organizations with foreign investment capital must be decided by the Prime Minister.

According to General Phan Van Giang, after 28 years of implementation, the Ordinance on the protection of national defense works and military zones has revealed a number of problems. The determination of the scope and boundaries of protection is not specific; there are still phenomena of encroachment and illegal cultivation. The planning and licensing of some socio-economic development projects and the management of foreigners residing in some localities and areas related to national defense are not strict.

"The above shortcomings require the development of laws to create a higher legal basis and promptly resolve practical problems and shortcomings that arise," said the Minister of National Defense.

Three cases of changing the purpose of use of defense and military works

The Government proposes three cases of converting the purpose of use of defense and military works. These are conversion within the scope of the Ministry of National Defense according to mission requirements; when there is no longer a need to use for the mission, it needs to be converted for socio-economic development and people's livelihood; and works within the scope of implementing socio-economic development projects according to approved planning and agreed upon in writing by the Ministry of National Defense.

The principle of conversion is not to affect military and defense tasks, to ensure state secrets; to be consistent with planning and plans, and to ensure compensation and support according to regulations. The decision-making authority belongs to the Prime Minister; for projects and areas under the management of the Ministry of National Defense, the decision-making authority is decided by the Minister of National Defense or delegated by the Minister of National Defense.

The draft Law on Management and Protection of National Defense Works and Military Zones, first submitted to the National Assembly, will be discussed by delegates in groups on June 9 and discussed in the hall on June 23.

Son Ha