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.