Vietnam's leader urges reform

Newly-elected lawmakers are meeting for the first time

By Clare Arthurs BBC Hanoi correspondent

The head of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has called on members of the country's newly elected parliament to continue the pursuit of democracy and clean government.

The national assembly, elected in May for a five-year term, is meeting for the first time.

One of its first tasks in the coming days will be to formalise the selection of a new government ministry.

Nong Duc Manh spoke familiar rhetoric under a bust of Vietnam's first president

In his speech, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh called on the deputies to focus on improved law-making.

It is a call which reflects Vietnam's push to build a framework for continuing economic growth, but it is difficult to assess whether the fine sentiments of the opening speeches will result in any changes.

The call by Mr Manh for a renewed commitment to democracy and the rights of the individual is familiar in Communist Party rhetoric.

So too is the call for a concerted effort to stamp out waste, bureaucratic delays and corruption.

Corruption scandal

But the speech comes at a time when politics and the papers have been full of a corruption scandal which has touched the party's central committee, senior police and other high-ranking officials.

Reformers in the party are aware of high levels of public disaffection with corruption, and are conscious of their image abroad.

Vietnam is anxious to maintain its recent high economic growth rates, and reassure foreign investors and donors that the country is serious about engaging with the rest of the world.

To assist the process, foreign donors including the United Nations are pouring large sums into the development of the national assembly.

It is in Vietnam's interest to send out strong messages about the leadership's commitment to build up democratic institutions and clean up corruption.

Urgent agenda

The Communist Party sets the agenda for the national assembly, and in his speech as party supremo, Mr Manh outlined some of what he called its most urgent tasks.

They include:

• Making better laws

• Overseeing the executive to ensure clean and strong government

• Rebuilding what he calls "a weak and in efficient legal system".

But in a one-party state where opposition voices are silenced and the media is tightly controlled, it is hard to assess whether Mr Manh's speech is a repeat of the old rhetoric, or a sign of genuine intent to reform.