Reuters: Vietnam party likely to hold key plenum early Nov

[Dao Van <daotb@yahoo.com>]

Vietnam party likely to hold key plenum early Nov 04:38 a.m.  Oct 20,
1999 Eastern

HANOI, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Vietnam's top communist party leaders are
likely to hold a key meeting early next month that will focus on the
country's economy and the role of the private sector, a source close to
the party said on Wednesday. 

The source said the plenum of the 170-member Communist Party central
committee would examine issues
``totally fundamental to the economy.''
The plenum would last for around 10 days, he said, without giving exact
dates. 

Party officials declined to comment, but such a meeting would take place
at a critical time for Vietnam. 

While the country's economy is expected to grow at around four percent
this year from an estimated 5.8 percent in 1998, Hanoi's neighbours are
growing fast again and are likely to pull further ahead of the communist
nation. 

In addition, Vietnam's hesitation in signing a landmark trade pact with
the United States that was agreed in principle last July has worried
foreign investors. 

Vietnam has said little about why it has not signed the pact, which
would open the country's economy.  It was unclear if the stalled deal
would be discussed at the plenum. 

Foreign investors and donors have also urged Hanoi to create a level
playing field for private firms against privileged state-owned
enterprises that receive preferential access to bank credit.  Vietnam
insists that the state will play the leading role in the economy. 

Under Vietnam's arcane political system, the government is responsible
for day-to-day management of the country, but party members hold all key
posts and major decisions are approved by the elite politburo or central
committee. 

All officials on the 19-member politburo sit on the central committee,
which generally holds a plenum around every six months.  Ultimate power
rests with the politburo. 


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