Vietnam won't let business owners join communist party

~ Le Vięt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

Vietnam won't let business owners join communist party

HANOI - Vietnam will not amend its Communist Party Statute to allow owners of private businesses to join the Party, despite calls that it do so in order to raise Party popularity. A report prepared by the Party Central Committee for discussion during this week's key Communist Party Congress states that a change in the rule "may cause the Party, society and international opinion to misunderstand our political stance." Vietnam's Communist Party has only around 2 million members, despite the country's population of almost 80 million.

Many observers say its young people - those under 30 comprise at least half the population - are more interested in making money than in joining Vietnam's only official political party. People who do join often do so in order to advance their career opportunities in the state sector. But as Hanoi undertakes a policy of economic revival, the opportunities offered by the state sector are becoming less appealing, with jobs in private and foreign-invested sectors offering more lucrative salaries. The Party does allow people applying for membership to work for private companies, but doesn't allow them to own their own private business. On the activities of existing members, the Central Committee's report was ambiguous about the future of private business ownership.

It said that, because it can't easily decide which business activities are exploitative and which are not, the Party is not in a position to say that all the businesses owned by Party members are exploitative. During the past 15 years since Hanoi introduced its economic reform policy, Doi Moi, many members of the Communist Party have cashed in on their newfound freedom to establish businesses. Many are forced to do so in order to supplement tiny state salaries. Country watchers note that, if the Party now tried to deny them ownership of those companies it could face even greater internal dissatisfaction than is already the case.

Such a move could also lead to an increase in already high corruption, as those in administrative positions find themselves unable to supplement incomes through legal business. Vietnam's leading party has come under greater pressure in recent years over how much and how fast it should reform. The pressure is building within Party ranks and cracks are beginning to show. A theme of this year's Congress has been the development of intra-Party unity.

Dow Jones - April 20, 2001.

Vietnam's ex-party secy endorses move for younger leaders

HANOI - One of Vietnam's three senior advisors, former Party General Secretary Do Muoi, Friday endorsed an effort to reinvigorate the Communist Party by introducing new and younger leaders. "Age must be the first qualification" for new officials, he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the Party's Ninth Congress - during which leadership changes are due to be announced and policy initiatives finalized for the coming five years - Muoi said "younger leaders can approach issues better."

He added that "given the development of science and technology, rejuvenation (in government) is good." Giving tacit approval of policies carried out by former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Muoi said, "Mr. Clinton has served two terms and he's (still) not 60 years old." It was under Clinton's leadership that the U.S. restored diplomatic ties with Vietnam, lifted a trade embargo and negotiated a bilateral trade agreement. Asked about news from Party insiders that he and his fellow advisors would resign from their positions during this Congress and that the important role of Party Advisor would be abolished, Muoi said he hopes to leave his post soon.

"I'm 85 years old. I feel very old, (and) I want to stop," he said. However, he said the future of other advisory position holders "depends on (a decision made by) the Party Central Committee." Such a decision may be made during this week's Congress. Muoi declined to comment on talk that incumbent Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu has expressed interest in becoming an advisor.

Phieu is due to be replaced at the Party's helm this weekend by the more moderate Nong Duc Manh. The decision was made earlier this week in a closed vote, but must be ratified by Congress delegates. Party sources say Phieu, who until recently led the call to abolish the advisory posts, now hopes to retain some influence in an advisory role. According to Muoi, "This (eventuality) has not been discussed. But after the Congress, the Central Committee will discuss it at his (Phieu's) request, if he makes that request."

Dow Jones - April 20, 2001.