Le Kha Phieu means to end instability

Le Kha Phieu means to end instability

HANOI (AFP): The appointment of Gen. Le Kha Phieu as Vietnam's new Communist Party chief is intended to end instability in the ranks and has been forced on the ruling party by events at home and in the region.

It also shows the reinforced power of the military at a time when the country is facing many difficult challenges, diplomats said yesterday.

The party Central Committee, holding a full meeting since the beginning of last week, make the decision on Friday on the eve of the general's 66th birthday, sources said. An official announcement will only be made today.

Diplomats expressed surprise as the plenum was officially meant to discuss economic questions only. "Events have hurried up the decision," said one western diplomat. "Normally the party secretary general dies in the job or is replaced by a party congress."

But after months of paralysis caused by the failure to find a successor to the 80-year-old Do Muoi, consensus was eventually reached on naming the hardline head of the army's political department.

Le Kha Phieu had been opposed for several months from within the army and by a rival but less influential candidate, Nguyen Van An.

Since its congress in mid-1996 the party has given the impression that it is incapable of taking decisions, despite mounting threats at home and abroad.

"Peasant troubles at home and Southeast Asian financial crisis forced their hand," said the western diplomat. "Vietnam has a great need for stability and a real economic policy."

Demonstrations in several provinces, some violent, against low wages, high taxes and corruption have shaken the communist party, which fears the unrest could spread. Around 80 percent of the population live in the countryside.

Southeast Asia's problems have highlighted the fragility of Vietnam's economy when Hanoi is being pressed by the international community to speed up reforms.

The uncertainty has reinforced the position of hardliners within the party such as the general.

"His nomination shows the desire of the party to strengthen its leadership and control and stabilize the political situation," said one army officer.

The choice of Phieu -- who was strongly supported by former president Le Duc Anh, another general -- also highlights the army's continuing weight. "The army wants to defend its interests and have a large part of the cake," said one party source.

The army and public security bureau increased their share of Politburo seats during the 1996 congress.

Phieu's victory shows he can count on the party and the army, said the western diplomat, adding: "Vietnam needs a strong executive."

But the victory of a leader who wants to keep strong central control over the country may not encourage hopes that the market economy will be strengthened. Phieu was not the favored candidate of international financial institutions and foreign investors, who want faster and deeper economic reforms.

The change of party leadership follows the election in September of Tran Duc Luong as president and Phan Van Khai as prime minister. Both are considered reformers.

The central committee's decisions on economic reforms -- the main topic since last Monday -- will indicate how much the authorities want to accelerate their opening up to the world.

The announcement of personnel changes in the Politburo, which is expected Monday, will also be a good indication of the balance of forces within the party.