Vietnam: Vietnam confirmed yesterday that there had been unrest in two Central Highlands provinces at the weekend, breaking its silence over a protest that echoed widespread ethnic minority uprisings three years ago.
"In the past few days several extremists in some locations of the provinces of Daklak and Gia Lai, along with agitation from outside, have taken actions to disturb the public order," a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry did not provide figures on the protesters - which residents say may have numbered in the thousands in one city - but said authorities had stabilised the situation and that the provinces were now "under normal condition". The protesters destroyed public buildings and property in some communes, the ministry said.
A number of people with minor injuries were treated on Saturday at the General Hospital in Daklak, an official at the facility said on Sunday.
No independent confirmation could be obtained on the situation as Vietnam quickly slapped a ban on all foreigners, including tourists, from visiting the highlands, which are home to Vietnam's coffee belt.
"If you close off an area, people just assume the worst," said US Ambassador Raymond Burghardt, when reporters asked for his view of the situation on the sidelines of an education grant briefing.
A Vietnam Airlines reservation clerk said yesterday she could not make any bookings "for political reasons" for foreigners on flights to Buon Ma Thuot or Pleiku, the only two airports in the highlands. The Montagnard Foundation, which says it represents some of the hill tribespeople, said they were Protestants protesting during Easter against alleged repression by authorities. - (Reuters)