STILL A WAR TO BE WON:

Fostering Democracy (DANIEL SILVERBERG and YOONAH LEE, August 29, 2006, NY Sun)

As international news focuses on the conflict in the Middle East, the nuclear stand-off in Iran, let alone the war in Iraq, America should not lose sight of other parts of the world where it can foster democracy through more traditional means. Vietnam is a prime example. The Administration's recent decision to approve Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization — a decision that must be ratified by the U.S. Senate — is an important step towards opening Vietnam to reform and strengthen a critical partnership in Asia. Yet absent a strong-minded commitment to democratic development in that country, long-term economic growth in Vietnam is still in doubt.

In recent years, America has not only normalized relations with Vietnam, but has also dramatically expanded economic ties, to both countries' benefit. Trade has ballooned to over $6 billion annually, and Vietnam's annual exports to America have grown at an audacious 40% rate per year over the last six years.These developments are occurring against a backdrop of growing Chinese regional competition and America's desire to counterbalance that influence in Southeast Asia with the ASEAN regional grouping. America needs new partners in Asia, and Vietnam is a prime candidate.

At the same time, there has been a real downside to Vietnam's growth. With increasing economic freedom, the one-party Communist regime grows increasingly intolerant of domestic dissent. The Communist party has brazenly oppressed its own people, particularly targeting political activists who believe that the government needs to reform. One needs to look no further than the case of Dr. Pham Hong Son to understand that greater freedoms in Vietnam have made its government increasingly nervous about how they will be exercised.

Finishing their liberalization is the least we owe the Vietnamese people afer bugging out on them.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 29, 2006 7:33 AM