NEXT WEEK'S PARTY PLENUM TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 HANOI 000030

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR VM
SUBJECT: NEXT WEEK'S PARTY PLENUM TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND
PARTY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING POLITICAL REPORT

REF: A. HANOI 11

B. 05 HANOI 2967

C. 05 HANOI 2063

D. 05 HANOI 256

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Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission John S. Boardman per 1.4 (b),(d
)


1. (C) Summary: In preparation for the National Party
Congress, the Communist Party of Vietnam will kick off its
13th Plenum on January 11. Meeting for several days, the
Central Committee will both discuss its future membership and
other leadership issues and examine several important Party
documents (and the opinions they generated at recently
concluded local Party congresses). Among these documents is
the draft Party Political Report, a copy of which Post
recently received. The report is heavily focused on issues
related to economic development and international integration
and calls on the Party and the nation to continue the "doi
moi" (renovation) policy. The report only refers in passing
to "political doi moi" and exhorts the Party and nation to
fight corruption. End Summary.


2. (SBU) According to a number of local contacts, the
Communist Party of Vietnam will hold its 13th Plenum (meeting
of the Central Committee) from January 11 to at least January

14. In all likelihood, this will be the penultimate, if not
last, plenum prior to the National Party Congress (which,
depending on the source, will be held in April, May or June.)
One focus of this plenum will be personnel issues -- namely,
who will serve on the next Central Committee and what the
Party's and GVN's senior leadership changes will look like.
Another key item of plenum business will be discussions about
important Party documents and the collation of the opinions
these documents generated at recently concluded provincial,
municipal and organizational Party congresses.


3. (C) In addition to the proposed revisions to the Party
Statutes (Ref A),the Party's Five-year Plan and its draft
Political Report are two other key documents that the Plenum
will examine and the National Party Congress will ultimately
approve and release. Post recently received from a local
contact a copy of the draft Political Report, which is marked
"secret" in Vietnamese (a rough Political Section translation
of the draft report follows in paragraph 9; Post forwarded
the complete report by pouch to EAP/MLS). Post also received
the report's "discussion questions" for use at the local
Party congresses (paragraph 10). Although the Political
Report describes in familiar terms the Party's view of its
and Vietnam's achievements, weaknesses, challenges and
aspirations, there are a number of areas worth highlighting:


4. (C) The overarching importance of economic development.
More than any other issue, the report focuses on the need for
Vietnam's continued economic development and international
economic integration. In the finest tradition of socialist
self-criticism, the report candidly assesses Vietnam's
current weaknesses and puts forth a number of concrete goals
for improving its economic situation, increasing its
international competitiveness and easing the pains of WTO
accession.


5. (C) "Doi moi" is here to stay. The report lauds the
two-decade success of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy
and invokes it in everything from economic growth to
education policy. Over the next five years, the report
urges, doi moi must be strengthened and utilized to further
Vietnam's growth and development in all economic and social
areas.


6. (C) Not much to say about political renovation. Although
some had suggested that the upcoming Party Congress would
address "political doi moi," the draft Political Report
mentions this only in passing and has few things to say about
political change of any kind. While fighting corruption,
strengthening the Party's leadership and building "democracy"
(code for increasing budget and other accountability) figure
prominently in the report, there is little else that is
overtly "political" in this Political Report.


7. (C) Beware of hostile forces. The Party exhorts itself
and Vietnam's defense, foreign affairs and security branches
to combat "hostile forces" that seek to advance their
conspiracy of "peaceful evolution" (which translated means
the United States and others that use the Trojan horse of
trade and aid to overturn Vietnam's system). Also worthy of
caution are those who would use "democracy," "human rights,"
"religion" and "ethnicity" to interfere in Vietnam's internal
affairs.

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8. (C) Vietnam in the region and the world. In several
sections, the report calls on the Party and the nation to
pursue strategies and policies to strengthen Vietnam's place
regionally and globally and to assume greater international
responsibilities. Although no country is mentioned by name,
relations with China are raised in terms of the fair and
equitable resolution of border, territorial and resource
disputes.


9. (C) Begin text of draft Political Report of the 10th
National Congress.

I ) Review of the five-year implementation of the 9th Party
Congress' resolutions:

Achievements:

--1. The economy has overcome recession, reached a relatively
high growth rate and developed comprehensively

--2. Cultural and social affairs have made much progress, in
close linkage with economic development; the people's lives
have improved.

--3. National defense and security have been strengthened;
external relations activities have broadened, contributing to
socio-political stability and maintenance of a peaceful
environment.

--4. The building of a socialist rule of law state has
progressed in the legislative, executive and judicial areas;
the power of great national unity has been promoted

--5. Party building work and the campaign to build and
reorganize the Party and to make the political system clean
have achieved a number of results.

Weaknesses:

--1. Our economic growth rate still does not meet its
potential. The quality of growth, and the economy's
effectiveness, competitiveness and ability to integrate
internationally are still low.

--2. Mechanisms and policies for cultural and social affairs
have been slow to reform and become more concrete; many
urgent and complicated social matters are not handled very
well.

--3. There are still limits in the areas of national defense,
security and external relations. Overall strength and
military units' ability to fight still do not meet the
demands of the new situation. A number of foreign affairs
activities still do not have a high level of initiative.
There is still weak coordination among security, national
defense and foreign policies.

--4. A number of areas in the organization and operations of
the State, Fatherland Front and mass groups have not yet been
reformed. The ability of the National Assembly to carry out
its oversight function is still low. Local administrations,
particularly People's Councils, still have a number of
unsound points. Judicial reforms are still not centralized
and in step with each other, and administrative reforms are
slow to meet demands. Activities of the Fatherland Front and
other mass organizations in some areas are passive and
formalistic. Democracy is still violated. Order and
discipline in some sectors continue to be loose.

--5. Party building still has not fundamentally transformed
and reorganization does not meet the demands that have
emerged. Opportunism and a lack of sincerity are on the
rise. Leadership ability and organizational fighting
strength are low. Party consolidation is slow and lacks
wisdom.

II ) General assessment of 20 years of Doi Moi

There have been huge, comprehensive and historical
achievements.

In practice: After 20 years of Doi Moi, the economy has
emerged from a socio-economic crisis and now is growing
quickly; a socialism-oriented market economy is being built,
and modernization and industrialization are proceeding. The
alliance among the workers, intellectuals and farmers, under
the leadership of the Party, is strengthening and being
consolidated. National defense and security are stronger by

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the day. Foreign relations have expanded, and Vietnam's
place on the international stage continues to loom larger.
Politics and society are stable, sovereignty is secure and
territorial integrity is sustainable.

In theory: The Party's recognition of socialism and the road
to socialism in Vietnam are clearer than ever. Until now,
the Party has advanced based on a number of unified
theoretical points regarding renovation (Doi Moi) and
socialism.

Weaknesses: Our country remains underdeveloped and is still
in danger of falling behind regionally and globally. Theory
alone is not sufficient to resolve a number of pressing
problems in daily life and has not yet created a high level
of ideological unity and action to: overcome bureaucracy and
corruption and prevent the danger of Party decline; create a
political/administrative organization that is rational and
can avoid redundancy and abuse of power; promote all social
resources and potential; thoroughly resolve the tension
between the speed of growth and the quality of development,
between economic growth and social development and equality,
between economic Doi Moi and political Doi Moi and between
sovereign independence and positive international integration.

Looking back on the past 20 years of Doi Moi, based on our
achievements and limits and weaknesses, we can derive the
following lessons:

-- 1. During the Doi Moi process, we have to hold fast to the
goal of national independence and socialism based on the
foundation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, while
always keeping in mind new things and new developments;

-- 2. Doi Moi must be comprehensive, well coordinated and
well formed;

-- 3. Doi Moi must serve the people's interests and derive
from the people, and must promote the initiative and
creativity of the people;

-- 4. It must raise the level of internal power while taking
advantage of outside power, combining the strength of the
nation with the strength of new, modern conditions;

-- 5. And, it must increase the Party's leadership ability
and militancy, continuing to renovate the political system,
while building and perfecting democracy and the rights of the
people.

III ) Goals and orientation of the country's development for
2006-2010 and up to 2020

--1. Forecasts for the years ahead.

Globally: Peace, cooperation and development are the most
significant general trends. Global and regional economies
have recovered and are developing but at uneven rates.
Globalization and international economic integration will
continue to move quickly, but economic and commercial
competition will remain fierce.

Regional conflicts, military clashes, ethnic and religious
conflict, arms races, subversive interventionist activities,
national divisions, terrorist activities, conflicts over
territory and natural resources and resistance against
unilateralism and hegemony will continue to present complex
problems. At the same time, the nations of the world will
have to coordinate to resolve increasingly pressing global
problems such as the growing divide between rich and poor,
environmental protection, population growth and migration,
depleting natural resources, global warming, infectious
diseases and transnational crime.

In the Asia-Pacific region in general and Southeast Asia in
particular, the trend towards peace, cooperation and
development continues to strengthen. Cooperation in a number
of areas between countries in the region continues to
develop. However, there are still latent factors that can
cause instability, such as border, territorial and resource
disputes, terrorist activities and political and economic
instability in a number of countries.

The global and regional situation outlined above will
directly affect our country, creating both benefits and new
opportunities but also giving birth to new challenges and
difficulties.

Domestically: The achievements of the past five years

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(2001-2005) and during 20 years of Doi Moi (1986-2006) have
greatly strengthened our power and position. International
economic integration and accession to the World Trade
Organization will provide further opportunities to renovate
and to more quickly and effectively develop our economy and
society. Our peaceful environment will continue to be
maintained. These beneficial circumstances will allow us to
increase the pace of our country's development in the time to
come.

However, the challenges before us are great. Our country is
still underdeveloped and behind economically compared to
other countries in the region and around the world. The
process of international integration is forcing us to make a
number of commitments and endure much pressure and
competition. The evils of bureaucracy and corruption remain
serious. The opposition of hostile forces through their
conspiracy of "peaceful evolution" and efforts at violent
overthrow are severe. Large natural disasters and dangerous
diseases appear irregularly. Security, order and social
safety in a number of regions and localities are not yet
firmly ensured.

-- 2. General goals and orientation for 2006-2010.

Promote national strength, continue to coordinate and
strengthen Doi Moi policy, mobilize all the resources of the
entire society, push forward the nation's modernization and
industrialization, positively integrate internationally and
develop quickly and sustainably with the goal of emerging
soon from the condition of underdevelopment and creating a
modern, industrial economy by 2020.

Strive for economic growth that is faster paced, of higher
quality and more sustainable. By 2010: a GDP that is 2.1
times the size of that in 2000; GDP growth between 2006 and
2010 should be 7.5/8 percent per year.

Continue to build and perfect the coordination of mechanisms
of a socialism-oriented market economy. Speed up
industrialization and modernization. Resolve various social
problems. Develop culture, education, training and science
and technology. Develop human resources and care for the
well-being of the people. Protect the environment.

Strengthen national defense and public security. Expand
foreign relations.

Build a solid and highly effective political system. Tightly
weave Party building and reorganization and efforts to
increase its leadership and struggle capacities with the
construction of a rule-of-law socialist nation, promoting the
role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and various mass
organizations.

IV ) Strongly develop the socialism-oriented market economy
by:

Building up mechanisms to regulate the market economy;

Synchronizing the development and effective management of
major markets, such as the goods and services, financial,
real estate, labor and science and technology markets.

Developing different economic components, such as the public,
private and joint sectors. (Note: A footnote here explains
that "there are opinions that, rather than 'joint sector,'
the term 'foreign investment' should be used." End Note.)
The State sector must be reformed, developed and made more
efficient. The private and joint sectors must be developed
strongly.

V ) Intensify industrialization and modernization. This
includes the intensification of industrialization and
modernization of agriculture and rural areas, industrial
development geared towards modernization, comprehensive
development of the service sector, external economic
development (including improving Vietnam's balance of
payments situation and the quality of export goods) and local
economic development.

VI ) Be active in international economic integration. Build
a comprehensive strategy regarding international economic
integration and expand international cooperation that is
linked to national development from now until 2010 and with a
view towards 2020. Tie together multilateral and bilateral
development cooperation. Pursue comprehensive and effective
cooperation with ASEAN members, contributing positively to
the sustainable development and increased effectiveness of

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the organization. Develop and consolidate bilateral
relationships of trust, particularly with strategic partners.
Accelerate the signing of free trade agreements with other
nations, particularly those with extensive economic and
commercial relations with Vietnam. Prepare well for the
challenges and difficulties we will face with WTO accession.

Actively pursue the legal mechanisms necessary to sign
multilateral and bilateral economic cooperation agreements.
Build the legal framework to guarantee coordination,
consistency, stability and transparency in carrying out
international commitments.

Our enterprises are the key to pursuing international
economic integration and need to reform and manage themselves
in a way that is appropriate to international practices.
They also need to increase their competitiveness to integrate
equally and effectively.

VII ) Improve the quality and effectiveness of education,
training and science and technology; develop high quality
human resources. Drastically and comprehensively reform the
education and training sectors, and rapidly develop high
quality human resources. Heighten scientific and
technological levels.

VIII - Integrate social equality and advancement in all
development policies. This is the key to guaranteeing the
socialist orientation of our country's market economy. Our
economic goals must be integrated well with our social goals
in every policy, plan and strategy. On the basis of economic
development we have to pursue social equity and fairness. We
must create the conditions for reducing poverty and
increasing wealth.

IX ) Make culture the real spiritual foundation of the
society. Ensure that culture maintains the essence of our
nation while going forward with economic and social
development. Guarantee demoQacy and freedom in arts and
literature.

X ) Intensify national defense and security, firmly defend
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Protect Vietnam's
independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.
Protect the Party, the State, the people and the socialist
system. Strengthen political, economic, cultural,
ideological and social security. Maintain political and
social stability. Defeat the conspiracies of hostile forces.
Coordinate defense and foreign policies to better build the
nation.

Link defense policy with national development policies.
Protect sensitive areas. Prevent hostile forces from
entering the country. Effectively promote military economic
zones and study expanding them into isolated rural areas for
economic development. Reform military industries.

XI ) Broaden external relations, maintain the peaceful
environment for the country's development. Continue our
policies of independence, sovereignty, diversity and
multilateralism for peace, cooperation and development.
Pursue international integration and expand cooperation and
exchanges, particularly in different regions. On the basis
of sovereignty and territorial integrity and in the spirit of
equality and fairness, pursue peaceful means to resolve
border, resource and territorial disputes. Strengthen unity
and cooperation with other communist and left wing parties,
independence movements and progressive forces around the
world. Continue to expand relations with other political
parties and ruling parties.

Pursue overseas training and education opportunities.
Strengthen the work of NGOs. Increase the quality and
effectiveness of cooperation with NGOs and international
organizations. Win the support of the international
community for Vietnam's Doi Moi and nation-building policies.
Join the global struggle for peace, national independence,
democracy and social progress. Have dialogues on human
rights with individuals, nations and regional and
international organizations on the basis of equality and
respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and
non-interference in internal affairs.

Increase mutual understanding. Resolve to defeat "peaceful
evolution" conspiracies and those that would take advantage
of "democracy," "human rights," "ethnicity" and "religion" to
interfere in Vietnam's internal affairs and violate Vietnam's
independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, security
and stability.

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XII ) Implement great national unity; reform and enhance the
efficiency of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass
organizations.

XIII ) Promote socialist democracy, build and perfect the
socialist rule of law State

Promote socialist democracy. Socialist democracy is the goal
and motivator of Doi Moi. All State mechanisms and cadres
must work for the people. All Party policies and State laws
must benefit the people. There must be forms and mechanisms
to create the conditions for people enjoy and realize
democratic rights and the areas of economics, politics,
culture and society. We must realize democracy in the
Party's activities and in how the Party leads.

Build and perfect the socialist rule of law State.
Restructure the organization and management mechanisms for
providing public service. Actively prevent and determinedly
fight corruption

XIV ) Continuously build up and reorganize the Party,
enhance the leadership capacity of the Party. Enhance the
political will and the militant capacity of the Party in new
conditions. Continue to develop the creativity of
Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. Increase the
leadership capacity of the Party. Enhance the militant
capacity and the core political role of grassroots party
organizations.

Party members pursuing personal economic activities have to
follow the Party Statutes, State laws and policies and a
number of established conditions and regulations. (Note: A
footnote to this explains, "There is the opinion that Party
members can only pursue personal economic activities by
themselves or in a handicraft business and cannot pursue
personal capitalist activities. On the other hand, there is
the opinion that Party members can pursue economic activities
like any other citizen and do not need any kind of
regulations or conditions. End Note.)

Promote democracy within the Party; strengthen the close
relationship between the Party and the people; improve the
quality and efficiency of control and supervision functions.
All Party cadres and members have the right to participate in
the Party's decision-making process and voice and maintain
their own opinions. Once a resolution has been made, every
Party member and organization must abide by it. All Party
leaders and cadres must listen to the opinions of the Party's
membership and organizations and every level in addressing
issues in the Party and society.

Enhance the quality of the Party's personnel work. Reform
the leadership methods and enhance the leadership capacity of
the Party. Strengthen the leadership role of the Party
vis-a-vis the State, but don't replace the State or abuse
power. Improve the role of the State but do not diminish the
leadership role of the Party.

End draft Political Report.


10. (C) Begin text of suggestions for discussion at
grassroots Party congresses

--1. Assessment of the implementation of the 9th Congress'
resolutions. Is the draft report's assessment of
achievements and weaknesses over the last five years
accurate? What needs to be added? What were the causes of
these achievements and weaknesses? Do we need to make
necessary additions?

--2. Goals and general orientation of the Five-year plan
(2006-2010). Seek comments on the forecasts for the global
and domestic situations, goals and orientation and the major
socio-economic goals.

--3. Building up mechanisms for a socialism-oriented market
economy. Seek comments on the development of a number of
markets: goods and services, finance, real estate, labor and
science and technology. The ownership regime and economic
components: How many ownership regimes and economic
components does Vietnam have? What about the policies on
these economic components?

--4. Party members' engagement in private capitalist
business. Seek comments on whether Party members should be
allowed to do business. If yes, which regulations/conditions
must be applied?

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--5. Implement social progress and equity. Seek comments on
the Party's stance in handling social matters. Are the
social policies mentioned in the draft report enough? Are
there necessary additions?

--6. Restructure the organization and management mechanisms
for supplying public services. Seek views about how this
problem is handled and about reforming the service supply
mechanism.

--7. Corruption and the fight against corruption. Seek
comments on the measures against corruption? Are there
necessary additions?

--8. Intensify national defense and security. Your views on
national defense and security policies.

--9. Broaden external relations, be active in international
economic integration. Your views on the goals and policies
on external relations.

--10. Party building work. Seek comments on how to most
appropriately explain the nature of the Party and measures to
enhance the leadership and militant capacity of grassroots
Party organizations.

End text of discussion suggestions.
MARINE