Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Vietnam: US-Friendly, Anti-Democratic!

"Communist trial of Vietnam
A lewd comedy for years
Jurors a bunch of baboons
Servants of dictators, who are you to judge?"

This poem is from Father Ly Van Nguyen, a political dissent who is sentenced to eight-years for "criticizing" the "Socialist" Republic of Vietnam. (aka "Communist" Party of Vietnam; note that I put the paraphrases in reference in that they're socialists and communists-in-name. In reality they converted into European neo-liberalism) He was referring to the Vietnamese judicial system, which is rigged in favor of the "C"PV (like in other "communist" or "socialist" countries) It wonders me why the United States support countries that are against real democracy, civil liberties, and human rights? (read: China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq)
If Hanoi was hesitant to act before President Bush's visit during the APEC meeting last November, it was not afterwards. For a president who touted "freedom" and "democracy" in the Middle East, Bush came bearing an unexpected gift - a license, as it were - for the government to use against its dissidents. Though the U.S. president originally had hoped to give Vietnam normal trading status, that deal was delayed in Congress. Embarrassed by having no gift in hand, he dropped Vietnam from the list of nations that severely curtail religious freedom instead, even as these violations continued unabated.
I think that question has already been answered.

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