The Rule of the Hypocrites

While other East Asian nations refer to themselves simply and modestly as the Republic of Korea, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand etc…the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) chooses to name the nation under its unfortunate rule by this grandiose title: “The Socialist Republic of Vietnam” then it unceremoniously add to this title ” Independence- Freedom- Happiness “.

As it happened, under the CPV, Vietnam has never been independent. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, it had to know-tow to both this Communist supremo and another giant to the north: Communist China. After the disintegration of the Soviet power, it becomes so dependent on the Chinese that it had to cede both sea and land areas to appease the Chinese pursuant to treaties repugnant to any reasonably patriotic Vietnamese. All this to buy support from the Chinese in order to remain the ruling party in Vietnam. How can leaders of an independent nation conduct itself in such subservient manners towards a country which has occupied it for a thousand years of its history?

Under the CPV, the Vietnamese people have never been free. At least they are not free according to political dissidents from their prison cells, or according to certain “treacherous elements” from the rebellious Vietnamese Diaspora. But officially the CPV always insists that: ”Vietnam’s socialist democracy is 100 times more democratic than any Western democratic rubbish”. Just to make the point, Vietnamnet, in its 24 June 2006 issue announced exuberantly that in our beloved and increditably free and democratic Vietnam, the Congress has by respective majorities of 78.5%, 92.9% and 91.68% approved the resignations of Chairman of Congress Nguyen Van An, State President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Such levels of national consensus can only be matched by the regimes of Hu JinTao, Kim Jong-il and Fidel Castro in Mainland China, North Korea and Cuba obviously. We can expect similar majorities in the Congress for the appointments of party heavy weights Nguyen Minh Triet and Nguyen Tan Dung to the posts of State President and Prime Minister in a short period of time.

So are the Vietnamese people really free? They must be! For the very namesake of the nation has ordained it, or so would the CPV leaders argue!

Are the people happy under the CPV?

Again, according to the CPV they are, for not many of them have said anything otherwise so far! Except of course for the few from their prison cells! The CPV’s General Secretary Nong Duc Manh is a man of extremely mediocre stature and abilities. But on behalf of the ruling CPV and the whole nation, he announced the resignations of Messrs. An, Khai and Luong, and yet his wishes have been so resoundingly endorsed by the Congress on behalf of the people. Let’s face it, such degrees of happiness, as expressed by political consensus in the highest percentages listed above, have never been achieved in “less happy” democratic nations the like of America, Great Britain, France, Germany or Australia. Mr. Nong Duc Manh has the right to think that he and his CPV must have done something right all the way, and consequently he has no time for any of these “stupid” dissidents languishing in sordid conditions in various prisons such as Dr. Pham Hong Son and journalist Nguyen Vu Binh. Why can’t they be deliriously happy like the rest of the people?

In case too much freedom and happiness is harmful for the health of the people, Phan Van Khai, before his departure from his prime- minister’s post, signed into law the bizarre decree no. 56/2006/ND-CP to tighten censorship of the media and press.

Indeed section 21(3) (c ) of the decree reads:

“On infringements of regulations of prohibitions relative to the content of the product of publication…Monetary penalties from 20M Dong to 30M Dong for one of the following conducts:

…

(c ) Publish publications with contents which disclose (CPV) party secrets, government secrets, Armed Forces secrets, Security secrets, economic secrets, external affairs secrets and other secrets as defined by law.

(d) Publish publications with contents defaming historical truths, denying revolutionary gains; dishonoring the people, great men, national heroes; defaming, violating the reputation of organs, organizations.”

To ensure that such freedom and happiness is substantially reduced for the good of the people he loves dearly, the government, under his leadership, also issued decree no.38/2005/ND-CP to the effect that all public gatherings of more than 5 individuals must first make detailed applications to, and obtain prior authorization from the local authorities.

Whatever happened to the promises of open and accountable governance by the CPV and its negotiators with the USA on conditions of entry to WTO? Isn’t this clearly double talk or speaking with a forked tongue?

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam where everyone must be independent, free and deliriously happy under the brilliant leadership of the CPV.

Phan Van Khai, for all his international credentials as an economic liberal thinker in Vietnam, has proved himself to be politically every inch as conservative as Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh, Nong Duc Manh and clique.

Are they still true Communist believers? No, for they are too cunning to be that naïve.

Are they true capitalists? No, because they are not that committed to market forces, nor should they, because they are ill prepared for open and fair competition.

What are they then? They are a bunch of hypocrites who happen to be born on the back of the Vietnamese people. Being born in this privileged position they intend to continue to ride on it, come what may. There are no laws in Vietnam. It is quite simply being ruled by a bunch of hypocrites of the very worst type!

That is until the people decide to throw them off (I suspect, given the astounding degree of hypocrisy involved, in a violent struggle), the same way a golden heron throws off disgusting leeches that it has accidentally collected on its long journey, before taking off to magnificent shores beyond.

In a similar metaphor, the Vietnamese nation, on its historic journey, will shake off, then take off and finally catch up with the rest of the proud nations of East Asia.

Hopefully that time will come sooner rather than later, for the sake of the poor, the down trodden and the many of our nation.

Ðằng Vân

26 June 2006