Paris - The French Committee for Vietnam's Democracy (FCVD) together with the Free Vietnam Alliance held a conference titled "Development and Democracy in Vietnam: Perspectives and Reality" on April 29, 1998 at the conference hall of the France's Senate.
About 120 representatives of organizations and media - both Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese - were invited. Among the distinguished guests were Senator Philippe de Bourgoing, former Colonel Le Bideau, Count Yvan de Winter of the Belgian Committee for Vietnam's Democracy, Mr. Paolo Atzori representing Congressman of the European Congress Olivier Dupuis.
To begin the conference, Mr. Bui Xuan Quang, coordinator of the event, introduced the guest speakers of the event, emphasizing the common factor among them despite their various professions and positions in society is that they have fought for ideals cherished by mankind, and have both concern for and experience about Vietnam.
These guess speakers included Senator Michel Pelchat, chairman of the FCVD and principle organizer of the conference; Congressman Herve' de Charette, a former French foreign minister and chairman of the People Party for France's Democracy; Mr. Robert Templer, former AFP correspondent in Vietnam and current professor at Berkeley University, USA; Venerable Thich Minh Tam, chairman of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Europe; Dr. Tran Duc Tuong, a political commentator on Vietnam affairs; and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Danh, secretary-general for the FCVD.
Senator Pelchat compared the current situation in Vietnam with that of former Eastern European countries before communism collapsed and concluded that the prospect for a democratic Vietnam is very hopeful. He asked the Hanoi's leaders ironically: "the people of Vietnam have suffered too much; why do you want to make them suffer more?". The senator urged the Vietnamese Communist Party to return to the people the happy life they deserve.
Dr. Tran Duc Tuong analysed the current situation in Vietnam with many problems and political conflicts, popular resentment and economic crisis, which has forced the Hanoi regime to follow China's step in its piecemeal reform to maintain its hold on power.
Venerable Thich Minh Tam summarized human rights violations in Vietnam, in which Hanoi's religious violation has outraged the world, prompting Mr. Abdelfettah Amor of the Action Committee at the United Nations in Geneve from March 16-April 24 to vehemically denounce Hanoi's oppressive policies. At this U.N. conference, Mr. Amor also revealed that Vietnam and Turkey are the only 2 nations in the world that have refused a U.N. delegation to investigate their violations.
Mr. Robert Templer talked in depth and at length about the situation of press control in Vietnam (his speech is enclosed on page 4). With his many years in Vietnam, he also helped shed light to Vietnam's sad reality reflecting through his observation and even the regime's mouthpieces such as the People's Daily, the Public Security of the Ho Chi Minh City's weekly, and other official newspapers. Mr. Templer emphasized the need for press freedom to push forth positive developments in Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Danh talked about democracy as the key to development. Citing the Free Vietnam Alliance's proposal of 5 steps in its "Roadmap to a Democratic and Developed Vietnam", Mr. Danh hopes that this practical approach can help Vietnam turn into a promising land for Vietnamese to fully develop their potential and for foreign investors.
As the last speaker of the conference, Former Foreign Ministers Herve' de Charette recalled the close relationships between France and Vietnam. He believes France can aid Vietnam to further its progress on the way to development and democracy.
An animated discussion ensued in which participants shared with each other the conclusion that there is a need for free nations such as France to exercise policies that can foster democratic development in Vietnam; one way is not to reinforce the dictatorial rule.
Former Foreign Minister Herve' de Charette expressed his support for the approach, emphasizing that nations despite their respect for each other's sovereignty still share many great values together. So it's imperative for free nations to have the right policy at appropriate times to promote these common values of mankind which are still lacking in oppressive lands.
Senator Philippe de Bourgoing in a hopeful note said that he had the privilege to host a similar event for Poland just ten years ago in the same conference hall. The country was democratized only few years afterward. He believed Vietnam will follow Poland very soon.
As the conference drew to its end, participants expressed the wish that there would be more opportunity for discussion, and urged FCVD to hold more conference for the same positive exchanges in the future.