Democratic-Socialists
The main Speaker of the Democratic-Socialist Faction, and Head of the Government in Vietnam, Van Khai, began his speech.
My fellow Comrades
In the past years, we faced many challenges and many political attacks from every direction inside and outside the country. For our foreign enemies I will not say much. It is just the fight between the American and E.U. Imperialism in Asia and our Progressive Democratic Socialism of the 21ist Century that has caused all the conflicts. In order to survive the expected fall of our allies in Eastern Europe we made some steps behind and we are ready now to move forward.
Socialism is and will ever be the ideology of our great nation, we will never adopt capitalistic policies, and instead we call for “MORE SOCIALISM” within our already proven political and economical system. Our Party, the communist party, isn’t just the party of the working class. It is the party of everyone within Vietnam, no matter any small economical difference, everyone must be allowed to be a member of the party, and this will lead not only to a far more democratic – socialistic system but also towards an economical system that will favor not only the working class but everyone in the country.
Despite our progress, there is a great need for reforms within Vietnam. We need a new more socialistic, more democratic constitution what will serve our cause. However it is too early to vote for the constitution at this congress and without the presence of the Councils, so we propose that we decide for a new constitution in one or two years, when we will all be ready to make decisions that will move our country towards future.
Our proposal is : A new congress to be held in 5 years time , A general Meeting of Party and Councils at one or two years time. Elections for Councils in one year maximum.
Socialism is all about equality, and equality is nothing but a dead letter without peace. Our foreign policy must be that of peaceful co-existence with the capitalistic countries and of progressive cooperation with our loyal friends the Chinese and the Russians who have proven to be our allies against the American Imperialism in Asia. Cambodia and Laos are our two great socialists allies. We have 30% of our armed forces within their ground and we must use them only if the American-puppet government of Thailand decides to attack. In any other case we must not use military action. Indochina can cooperate peacefully without the need of a “War of Unification”.
Finally a few words about the newly started war in Iraq. Well my comrades, it is a capitalistic war, in which we must play absolutely NO ROLE. Let the Americans do anything they want against the dictator Sadam, but be ready to defend our Motherland if the Imperialism change its target quickly. As for the Fundamentalist Iran, we must say that is every nation’s right to decide it’s political system. In Iran we can have a useful ally against the Americans.
Our economy must be expanded the following 5 years, not only in Industry but also in farming. We must use in some sectors the private economical help, and new companies must be allowed to operate in Vietnam. A mix of free market with central planning is our plan for the future Comrades.
Second in line to speak were the Reformists
Their main Speaker was the Le Hong Anh , minister of Security
Comrades and Citizens of Vietnam
While a war has erupted in Middle East between the United Nations and the Tyrant Sadam and his mercenaries, we stand here ready to decide the Policy of our Nation for the next years. Someone may ask “When the World is at war against Terrorism, is there any place for meetings to decide the path of socialism in Vietnam? “ Well comrades, the answer is YES. How we expect to fight for democracy worldwide if we don’t fight for democracy and liberty within our party, our state and our great Nation?
Our first goal for the next years as socialists is to expand the room for private opinion and action in politics and in economy. The Communist Party is the party of the people, not only the working class and the farmers. We propose that Businessmen and middle class citizens who have proven to be loyal to the interests of our nation be accepted with open arms in the party. A new Constitution is A MUST if we are to proceed towards Democracy and we shall look at the possibility of voting a new one in one year time. New Councils, new cabinet and a general meeting must also be decided within a year’s time.
About the war in Iraq we must not by any mean interfere but we should make clear that we are against the brutal dictator Sadam and his supporter. The UN effort, no matter if it could be done without armed invasion, is in the right way to liberate Iraq. About what are our Comrades worried? The situation of the working class in Iraq is terrible; any reform will surely improve the living and working conditions.
Indochina is free already; we see no reason to interfere unless we are attacked. Cambodia and Laos are our allies for years. Especially Cambodia is a country model for us, because of the necessary reforms that have taken place the last years.
Globalization, dear comrades, has come to stay in the planet, to deny it is against the interest of our people. In this global society we live, we must work together, not only with the Chinese and the Russians, but with EVERY people in the world to improve our economy and our status.
Third and last (but not least) were the Marxists-Leninists
The most popular figure of Marxists-Leninists Sinh Hùng makes his speech in the
congress
Comrades, workers and farmers of Vietnam
We, the Marxists-Leninist Faction greatly believe that the role of the party in the state is that of the guide towards Socialism-Communist. If we really are a state of the working class and its allies, the revolutionary farmers we need no other party that the party of the workers, the communist party. Behind the requests for a multi-party system lies the request for the return to the capitalism. And this is not what our brave comrades fought and died for.
We are against capitalism but not against any true-needed reform, we agree that a new constitution is needed to protect the socialist character of our state and our economy, but we believe it’s too early to vote for a new one in that congress. We strongly propose to other factions within the party to start the discussion for the constitution after the Congress and the General Elections of the Councils.
Finally we propose for a new congress of the party after 5 years, a general meeting of the party every year until the next Congress and a General Election of the Councils after the next general meeting. We propose the date of 2/1/2004 for these two events. First the Elections of the Councils and a week later the General Meeting of Party together with the new-elected leadership of the working class to discuss the progress we made in the year.
The most important thing in our foreign policy that we have to discuss is the imperialistic war in Iraq. A great imperialistic power, the USA, declared war in a minor capitalistic state. At this point however we can do no more than announce our support for the Iraqi people but not their government. This war is capitalistic and we have no reason to participate by any means. The war is just a way for capitalism to get over his crisis , but in the end VICTORY lies with the working Class
According Indochina, we should take opportunities as they arrive… Pakse and Nhommarath regions belong to out great socialist motherland. However Laos and Cambodia are our friends and they grant us military access. For the time being we should not seek any conflict but strengthen our Army and if we feel socialism is threaten in Laos we will act quickly. Cambodia and Thailand are a different story… they are capitalist societies where the working class is oppressed and we should seek to help local communist parties in their struggle against the Re-Action.
And we shall close the foreign policy topic, with saying that we should stop seeing China as our Ally. NO COMRADES. China is just another capitalistic country where the working class suffers great exploitation from the capitalists. No matter what some of our comrades believe, Communist Party fights for Communism Worldwide and China is just another Imperialistic Power.
Finally according our economical policy … We have only one thing to propose. INDUSTRY. We should fight to expand our industrial capacities and our industrial technology. We should also encourage the creation of collectives in farming and invest more in computers’ and nuclear technology. Central Planning must be the way we follow to industrialize the Country; any progress must be made by everyone and for everyone. Free market may be a solution to everyday problems, but in the long-time term, it will create unbalance in the economy and in-justice in our society. Long Live The Next 5-Year Plan.
Comrades the 21ist century is the century of Socialism and communism. No matter the restoration of capitalism in Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and China… we shall stand in our positions, ready to defend our beliefs, a society without exploitation. The Socialist Society.