Organization: Vietnam Insight
Editor: Chan Tran
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Phone: (408) 226-2261
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Date:         Thu, 7 Jan 1993 19:50:20 PST
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From:         Vietnam Insight <vinsight@NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      VI: Prof. Doan Viet Hoat urges Hanoi to change

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From Prison Cell: Prof. Doan Viet Hoat urges Hanoi to change
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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.

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Vietnam Insight (vinsight@netcom.com)
Chan Tran, editor