General Cuong: Anti-corruption is no longer general, but has an address and targets the right people.

Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong - Former Director of the Institute of Strategy and Science of the Ministry of Public Security about the milestones in anti-corruption work in 2017.

PV:Since 1986, our Party has had many policies and solutions to fight corruption and degeneration. According to the Major General, what are the new points in the fight against corruption and degeneration in 2017?

Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong:In my opinion, compared to before, the work of fighting corruption and degeneration has 3 new points:

The first,The work of fighting corruption and degeneration is carried out in the spirit of Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (12th term, issued on October 30, 2016). As far as I know, since 1945, directly from 1986 until now, Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (12th term) is the most complete and comprehensive document on the fight against corruption and degeneration.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that the new thing about the 4th Central Resolution (12th tenure) is that the Central has frankly and systematically pointed out the manifestations of political, ideological, moral, lifestyle degradation, self-evolution, self-transformation within the Party. The most dangerous of these are the fading of communist ideals, the fading of revolutionary ideals, the lack of steadfastness on the socialist path, vagueness, wavering, lack of faith, and speaking contrary to the Party's viewpoints and guidelines.

The 4th Central Resolution also pointed out the decline in fighting spirit, not defending what is right, not fighting what is wrong... Never before has a Party resolution fully stated all the specific manifestations of the current corruption, degeneration, and deterioration in our Party, both politically and ideologically, and in terms of ethics and lifestyle.

The General Secretary also emphasized that self-degradation in politics, morality, and lifestyle leading to self-evolution and self-transformation is only a short, even very short, step with unpredictable dangers.

That could lead to aiding or colluding with evil, hostile forces, betraying the ideals and revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. Therefore, the latest point is that the 2017 struggle is illuminated by the most complete Resolution about this struggle.

Scene of the National Cadre Conference to disseminate and implement Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee. Photo: Moha.gov.vn

Monday,The organization of the implementation of the 4th Central Resolution (12th tenure) this time is different from previous years. The Politburo held many meetings to discuss the organization of the implementation of the 4th Central Resolution (12th tenure). The Party's Central Inspection Committee has never worked continuously, going down to each locality, examining each case like that. The Politburo met, directly with the General Secretary as Head of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption. Another new point is the organization of the implementation of the resolution with very high political determination. From the General Secretary, the Politburo, the Central Executive Committee, the Party's committees, and the Central apparatus have all taken part.

Tuesday,The political situation is very favorable; the people are excited and support the Party's fight. This is an important condition for the 2017 struggle to achieve more results.

PV:According to the Major General, on what basis does public opinion believe that in 2017 the fight against corruption and degradation had a turning point, with historic results?

Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong:I believe that public opinion is well-founded and I support the assessment that the anti-corruption results in 2017 are historic, reflected in 3 points:

One is,In the past year, the Party and the State have investigated and strictly handled many major cases. From dozens of major cases to the Dinh La Thang case, in the history of our Party, we have never dealt with a Politburo member for corruption and degradation. Previously, we dealt with the Standing Secretariat, but that was a case of political violations. This reflects that the fight against corruption and degradation has no forbidden zones. Just talking about the disciplinary action against Mr. Dinh La Thang also partly highlights the overall results of the fight against corruption and degradation in 2017.

HighlightsMondayIt is necessary to take into account that the Party has strictly disciplined the Party and administratively disciplined a series of senior officials involved in violations in the process of performing public duties and implementing economic projects. For example, through the handling of the Formosa case, officials involved in office, from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Deputy Ministers, General Director of Natural Resources and Environment, dozens of officials at the department and division levels, leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Committee... and a series of other officials, were all disciplined.

The case of Trinh Xuan Thanh, Deputy of the Central Organizing Committee, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, leaders of the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Hau Giang province... were disciplined, dozens of officials were implicated. Disciplinary actions such as the case of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh in Da Nang city being removed from the Central Executive Committee of the Party, removed from the position of Secretary of the City Party Committee and all positions in the Party, and the case of Mr. Ngo Van Tuan being removed from the position of Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee in Thanh Hoa... really show that the fight against corruption is no longer general, but has an address, and is aimed at the right target.

Tuesday,The fight against corruption has created a democratic and open atmosphere in society. The press has stepped in to expose dozens of cases of entire families holding official positions. Then the appointment of relatives and “unclear support” in Quang Nam, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa… were all pioneered by the press.

Graphics: Nam Phong

PV:From a researcher's perspective, what do you think is the reason why 2017 achieved such groundbreaking successes that were not there before?

Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong:ReasonFirstlyI am referring to the Party's determination to do it to the end.

ReasonMondayis the exemplary role of high-level leaders, starting from the Politburo, directly from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The General Secretary has repeatedly reminded that in the fight against corruption and degeneration, the role of leaders, heads of Party committees, organizations and units is decisive and in Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (12th tenure) it also clearly states the requirement for members of the Central Executive Committee, Politburo, Secretariat, and each head of Party committees to set an example. The exemplary role of Party committee and government leaders is higher than before.

ReasonTuesdayis the way of doing. The Politburo has given firm direction, the way of doing is that there are no forbidden zones; clearly shown in a saying of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: When the stove is hot, even fresh wood will burn.

PV:What lessons can we learn from these results in this struggle, Major General?

Associate Professor, Dr. Major General Le Van Cuong:There are many lessons to be learned, four of which I would like to mention:

One is,These large-scale and long-term violations show that the power monitoring and supervision of public agencies by Vietnamese civil servants and officials still has very weak and flawed parts. In Vietnam, the delegation of power and the power monitoring system are not commensurate, so officials take advantage to exploit, degenerate, and seek excessive personal benefits.

The case of Mr. Dinh La Thang, assigned an oil and gas corporation, accounting for 30% of the national income, with enormous power but ineffective supervision. Where are the board of directors, inspectors,...? Therefore, it creates loopholes, creates spaces for corrupt officials to run wild, act freely, and act on their own.

The second isDemocracy within the Party is not guaranteed. Certainly, there are people who know but there is no effective struggle. For example, the "lightning-fast" promotion of Le Phuoc Hoai Bao to the position of Provincial Party Committee Member - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Quang Nam province at the age of 30, even though he did not meet the standards. So where were the Party Committees at all levels during that time, where was democracy, where was the fighting spirit? If he was not the son of the Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee at that time, would Mr. Hoai Bao have been promoted like that?

Third isThe capacity and character of the Party Committee members are weak. Many people know about their mistakes but do not dare to speak up. In agencies where major crimes occur, no one dares to speak up. Therefore, in places where major and prolonged violations occur, it must be affirmed that the capacity of the Party Committee members is very poor.

WednesdayThe personnel work at many levels is very problematic. Mr. Dinh La Thang, after committing many violations and mistakes at the Oil and Gas Group, continued to advance to higher positions. Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh, after the "battlefield" at the Oil and Gas Group, became a National Assembly delegate and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hau Giang province.

The fight against corruption in 2017 has reached a climax, and 2018 is expected to be even better. There is no room for retreat, only for progress. As a researcher, I am fully confident that we will draw useful lessons so that the fight against corruption and corruption can meet the expectations and trust of our entire Party and people.

PV:Thank you, General!