by Vu Kim Chung
19-4-2001
The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) opened its 12th plenary meeting in Hanoi on April 7, 2001. The meeting aimed to complete the draft documents to be presented to the subsequent Ninth National Party Congress and continue introducing candidates to the new Central Committee for approval by the Ninth Congress. It will also offered opinions about the draft agenda, procedures and electoral regulations for submission to the congress.
Party officials presented recommendations to Congress documents based on suggestions and comments from the Central Committee and people from all walks of life.
In his opening speech, General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, said the 12th plenum had a busy agenda and was significant because it had a direct influence on the success of the Congress. He asked the Central Committee to fulfil its agenda with a high sense of responsibility and through democratic discussion. The plenum was attended by CPVCC advisors Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh and Vo Van Kiet.
Vietnam Finalises Candidates for Top Party Committee
The ruling Communist Party said on April 10 it had finalised a proposed list of candidates for its new Central Committee to be approved by the five yearly congress the following week. State radio and television said agreement was reached on who would be put forward as candidates for the powerful committee -- which now had 170-members -- at the current body's final plenary session that ended on the same day.
"The 12th plenum has reached consensus on a list of candidates to be submitted to the congress for selection of the Ninth Central Committee," Vietnam Television said. On average, about a third of the central committee and the politburo -- which had 19 members -- retire at each party congress because of their age.
The new central committee would approve a new elite politburo and name the party leader.
The current committee's closing statement said its successor should consist of wise party representatives meeting the highest criteria in terms of "politics, morality and lifestyle." They should also have the necessary qualifications to ensure "continuity" in the new committee, it said.
No mention of leadership struggle
Party leader Le Khai Phieu gave nothing away in either his opening or closing speech about the bitter leadership battle he hasdbeen waging.
"The 12th plenum ... has completed basic preparation for the 9th Party Congress," he said, adding his thanks to all members who had made contributions to its work. Highly critical reports had circulated about Phieu in recent weeks before the plenary meeting, showing the strength of pressure to get rid of a man criticised by powerful party factions for ineffectual leadership and being out of touch with a reformist trend.
There have been predictions that Prime Minister Phan Van Khai would also step down, although some party sources said he aimed to stay. One party source told the Penguin Star earlier in April that Phieu had agreed not to stand for another term due to the strength of criticism he had faced from Central Committee, but this could not be independently confirmed.
Candidates tipped to succeed Phieu include National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh, Hanoi party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and current state President Tran Duc Luong. Deputy Premier Nguyen Tan Dung was tipped for prime minister.
Internal Divisions Threaten Communist Party Chief's Position
Divisions within Vietnam's Communist Party in the final days ahead of the key party congress threateed to unseat the country's top leader, party General-Secretary Le Kha Phieu, officials said on April 10. The 165-member Central Committee voted against recommending that the National Party Congress retain Phieu in his post, said party officials. It was a surprising break from previous years, when the committee followed the powerful 18-member Politburo, the innermost political circle. Earlier in the week, two-thirds of the largely conservative Politburo had thrown their support behind Phieu, fearing the uncertainties of a leadership change. The last-minute erosion of his support seemed to indicate deep discontent with Phieu's leadership.
In the end, the Communist Party's central body removed Vietnam's top leader, Le Kha Phieu, on April 17 amid dissatisfaction with his policies and named a party stalwart seen as more reform-minded in his place. The party's Central Committee replaced Phieu with Nong Duc Manh, an ethnic Tay minority. Manh, a moderate, would be the first ethnic minority member to hold the top Communist Party position.