From: edwind@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov (THANH NGUYEN)
Subject: letter ...
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date:  8 Jan 1993 09:31 EST  

In article <9301080350.AA14470@netcom.netcom.com>, you write...
>**************
>From Prison Cell: Prof. Doan Viet Hoat urges Hanoi to change
>**************

I assume the original letter was written in Vietnamese, can you post
the Vietnamese version of the letter??

T.N.

> 
>Excerpt from Prof. Hoat's letter to the Vietnamese Communist Leadership
> 
>The world situation has changed. The capitalist-communist confrontation
>has ceased. And a new world order is emerging, and order of peace and
>cooperation among nations in various regions and throughout the world.
>This new situation is opening up an unprecedented opportunity for our
>country, which we can only take advantage of if we join the
>international community. Thus it is imperative to have a new political
>attitude to replace the obsolete conviction in ideological conflict and
>dictatorial one-party rule, leading to a true democratic and pluralistic
>society in all political, economical and cultural spheres.
> 
>Only in freedom and democracy can we have a genuine government by the
>people, of the people and for the people. Only in freedom and democracy,
>can we renew our potential, revive our society, and open the doors to
>international cooperation needed for our country's development.
> 
>Unfortunately, there is still no fundamental changes in the direction
>and reality of our nation. In the name of the political ideology, you
>(Party leaders) still make it top priority to protect and strengthen
>your monopolistic power and government. The survival of the Communist
>Party is thus placed before the interest of the country and the welfare
>of the people. This attitude is in counter with the world development,
>fails the people's aspirations and impedes our nation's political
>improvement.
> 
>Political stability can only be achieved through winning the people's
>hearts and soul. Yet the country is still in poverty, the living
>conditions are miserable, and the society is still stripped of its
>rights and freedom. This deplorable situation angers the populace,
>creates breeding ground for unrest, divides the society and motivates
>foreign powers to violate the sovereignty of our nation. Urgent and
>strong actions are demanded.
> 
>You will be held accountable for problems and impasses facing the
>nation. I earnestly urge you to place the interest of the people before
>the party, change the domestic and foreign policies, quickly end the
>ideological conflict, actively seek dialogues and unity among the
>people, both inside and outside the Communist Party, at home and abroad.
>To establish political conditions favorable for dialogues and unity, I
>ask that you accept the following recommendations:
> 
>1. Release all persons imprisoned for political reasons.
> 
>2. Allow political freedom, free speech, free press and religious
>freedom.
> 
>3. Hold free and fair elections in which people are free to run,
>regardless of political viewpoint.
> 
>Only such decisions of true revolutionary values on your part to
>implement the recommended actions will save our country from the present
>sufferings and allow us to join the community of nations. Only such a
>revolutionary decision will enable a new chapter of happiness for our
>history, unite patriotic elements, and mobilize the whole population for
>the rebuilding of a prosperous and progressive Vietnam.
> 
>May our Ancestors shine your way.
> 
>Doan Viet Hoat
>Written from unit 4 of Phan Dang Luu Prison
>November 1, 1992.
> 
>--
>Vietnam Insight (vinsight@netcom.com)
>Chan Tran, editor
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