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Friday, June 22, 2007
Don't boycott Vietnam's
president
Stronger ties with our
former foe increase prospects for improved human rights.
An Orange County Register editorial
The official visit to the United States this week by Vietnamese
President Nguyen Minh Triet – the first visit by a leader of
that nation since the end of the Vietnam War – is understandably
sparking protests from the Vietnamese-American community,
especially as President Nguyen makes a quick stop in Orange
County on Saturday night to host a reception at the St. Regis
Hotel in Dana Point. Leaders in Little Saigon are planning to
lead protests at the hotel, and a group of local
Vietnamese-American elected leaders are calling on public
officials to boycott the Orange County event.
We understand the anger directed at the leader of the Vietnamese
regime, especially in the wake of stepped-up human-rights abuses
in Vietnam, including the recent arrest in February of Catholic
priest and democracy activist the Rev. Nguyen Van Ly.
Nevertheless, we believe that Mr. Nguyen's visit to the United
States is worthwhile, that President George W. Bush is right to
meet with him today at the White House, and that local elected
officials would be wrong to embrace a boycott.
The key question for Americans is whether to embrace a path of
political posturing, or one that promotes constructive
engagement. As distasteful as it might seem, the second path
offers the best hope for improving the lot of average Vietnamese
and for nudging the socialist regime further in the direction of
free markets and openness. President Bush and President Nguyen
plan to sign a preliminary trade agreement in Washington today.
Vietnam, now a member of the World Trade Organization, has a
booming economy and increasingly is seeking new trade
opportunities. Bilateral trade between the United States and
Vietnam tops $9 billion, according to the Asia Times, and Mr.
Nguyen, a former Viet Cong fighter, relishes his role as a
market-oriented reformer.
That, of course, does not compensate for or mean we should
downplay the lack of political freedom within Vietnam, or that
nation's regular crackdowns on political dissidents. The
government released two pro-democracy dissidents before Mr.
Nguyen's visit, but there are several others that the U.S.
government wants released. But a boycott eliminates the leverage
the United States might have in pushing for a more open Vietnam.
The White House boasted this week of "our robust trade and
economic relationship, cooperation on health and development
issues, cultural and educational ties, and shared commitment to
resolving remaining issues stemming from the war."
The White House also wants to build deep relationships with its
former enemy, rather than see Vietnam become increasingly
dependent on China. President Bush also has not shied away from
criticism of current Vietnamese policies toward its dissidents.
The White House pledged that the president will raise the human
rights issue as one of the main items on the agenda – and he
should. Trade offers leverage. Meeting with a nation's leaders
offers a chance for our leaders to apply political and moral
pressure. Most important, free markets help the lot of the
average Vietnamese by creating opportunities to prosper outside
the grasp of the communist government.
It's worth noting that Vietnam has, for years, functioned more
as an authoritarian than totalitarian regime. This is not North
Korea. Vietnam's "doi moi" policies that promote economic
liberalization have been too timid, perhaps, but the country's
economy is far more open than in the past. With such openness
comes pressure for political reform. It doesn't happen
overnight, but free markets do create more freedom and provide
the blueprint for an eventual democratic transformation. Locking
into endless bitter disputes does not help average citizens of
repressive regimes and, in fact, it often enables the
dictatorial leadership – i.e., Cuba's Fidel Castro – to
continually blame outsiders for internal suffering and
repression.
While there's nothing wrong with having President Nguyen visit
the United States, there's nothing wrong, either, with him
getting a glimpse of American-style public protests. He does
need to hear more about the offensiveness of the government's
crackdown on dissidents. But the idea – advocated by those local
Vietnamese-American politicians – that trade must be restricted
"until Vietnam makes further democratic reforms" – will only
cause further delays before such reforms happen. |