Vietnam Party Lambasts Imperialism HANOI - At a patriotism celebration, Vietnam's Communist Party chief spoke out today against freeing up world trade, accusing imperialists of pursuing ``absolute profits'' at the expense of developing nations. The speech, a sort of state-of-the-party address, raised questions about how fast Vietnam will continue the ``Doi Moi'' economic reforms launched in the mid-1980s and whether the country is willing to make the changes needed for a trade deal with the United States and entry into the World Trade Organization. Imperialists ``continue to seek ways to completely wipe out the remaining socialist countries and attack the movements for independence, democracy and social progress,'' Le Kha Phieu told top officials, youth groups and war widows at ceremonies in advance of the 70th anniversary Thursday of the ruling party's founding. Vietnam's reforms slowed to a near standstill during the fallout of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Tentative agreement on the trade pact was reached last July, but work on finalizing it has bogged down. Phieu, considered the most powerful man in Vietnam's ruling troika of prime minister, president and party general secretary, blamed many of Vietnam's problems on outside influences and decades of war. ``When imperialism speeds up trade and services liberalization and globalization of investment, the rich countries become richer, and the gap between rich and poor countries widens,'' he said. Developing nations ``need science and technology, managerial experience and armies of skilled workers, which they could not have under the dominance of imperialists,'' he said. Before Phieu's speech, top officials, including many members of the party's powerful Politburo, held a procession through the mausoleum where the body of revolutionary hero Ho Chi Minh lies in state. A half-hour of song and dance by 200 performers - including 70 children - then extolled the party's accomplishments. ``We are renovating, but we are determined not to change color. The difficulties and challenges will not force us to diverge from the path of socialism,'' Phieu said, speaking against a backdrop of portraits of communist founders Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin overlooking a bust of revolutionary hero Ho Chi Minh. Phieu said the party sees the state sector as ``playing the leading role'' in economic development. In its reforms, the party has been working to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of state-owned enterprises. Phieu also urged technology transfers to developing countries to create opportunities for greater equality, saying imperialists have exploited science ``to gain absolute profits.'' Associated Press - February 2, 2000.