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INTRODUCTION
1. Overview of the thesis
The topic "The leadership of the Army’s Party executive
committee to build political officer staff from 2001 to 2010", was studied
in terms of historical science, major in history of the Communist Party
of Vietnam. The thesis topic outlined a number of issues such as impact
factors and objective requirements to strengthen the leadership of the
Party executive committee of the Army for the formulation of political
officer staff. Codify the policy and direction; simultaneously, making
the initial remarks, on that basis draw some main experience from the
leadership of building political officer staff of the Army’s Party
executive committee (20012010).
The interpreted issues of this thesis topic is the use of the
Marxist – Leninist perspectives and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the
Communist Party of Vietnam on building officer staff and selectively
inheriting the basic contents of the relevant research work. The topic
is an independent scientific work, new and not overlapping with any
published scientific works.
2. Reasons for choosing the thesis topic
When alive, President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Officers are the root
of all the work" and "Things are successful or failure, all are due to good,
or poor officers" [122, p. 309]. So, in the process of leading the revolution,
the Party and President Ho Chi Minh are always interested in building the
staff with both "morality" and "profession" to meet the mission’s
requirements.
Political officer staff at all levels in the army have very important
position and role, are the key force to conduct the Party’s and political
activities, contributing to building a strong Army in politics, making the
Army absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, State and people; a
national sharp tool of violence, ready to receive and complete all
assigned tasks. Thus, even in the Resolution on the Safeguards adopted
at the Congress I (3/1935), the Party affirmed: "Platoon has a chief, a
deputy platoon leader and a representative of the Communist
commanding Party "[48, p. 203]. This consistent view of the Party laid
the foundation for the construction of army officer staff in general and
political cadres in particular.
During the military construction, combat and maturity, the Army’s
Party are regularly interested in leadership to build political cadres at all
levels in a comprehensive manner. Especially, since the thorough grasp and
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implementation of the Resolution 51/NQTW of the Politburo (Session IX)
and Resolution 513/NQDUQSTW of the Central Military Party
Commission on implementation of the mode of political commissars,
political instructors in the Vietnamese People’s Army, forming the basis to
improve the working position, role and quality of the political commissar,
political instructor team in particular, the political officer staff in general;
contributing to improve the quality of building the army in politics in the
new period. However, the formulation of political cadres still has some
limitations to overcome timely.
Today, with the request of the country's renovation and the goal of
building the revolutionary, regular, elite and gradually modern Vietnamese
People’s Army, taking the construction of the army in politics as a basis.
Besides, the hostile forces strengthen against Vietnam’s revolution through
"peaceful evolution" strategy, turmoils. In particular, the VPA has been
identified as a sentinel against the guise as: Distorting the nature, traditions
and political task, demanding the implementation of "depoliticizing" the
army ... That practice demands innovation of the Party’s work and political
work; firstly, focus on improving the quality of building officer staff at all
levels, including building strong political officials is the most important task.
Therefore, research and summarize the leadership of the Army’s Party
executive committee in building political officer staff from 2001 to 2010, on
the basis of which, draw main experience to help inspire for planning the
guidelines and solutions to build political staff in the next period is an urgent
issue, with profound implications both in theory and practice.
3. Research purpose and task
Research purpose
Clarify the leadership process of the Army’s Party executive
committee to build political officer staff from 2001 to 2010; draw some
main experience contributing to improving the quality of building political
cadres in the current period.
Research task
Study, interpret to clarify the rationale, practical basis in building
political officer staffs in the army from 2001 to 2010.
Systematically present guidelines and the direction of the Army’s Party
executive committee to build political officer staff from 2001 to 2010.
Review and draw some experience from the leadership process of the
Army’s Party executive committee to build political officer staff from
2001 to 2010.
4. Research object and scope
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Research object
Research leadership activities of the Army’s Party executive
committee to build political officer staff in the Vietnam People's Army.
Research scope
Regarding content: Study policies and directions of the Army’s Party
executive committee to build political officer staff, focusing mainly on the
political officer staff served as chairman of the Party and political work.
Regarding time: The thesis researches for a period of 10 years (2001
2010). However, for the research issue to be systematic, the thesis has
mentioned some relevant contents in the time before and after 10 years above.
Regarding space: The thesis researches political cadres managed by
the party organizations in the Army’s Party executive committee in the
whole army scope.
5. Theoretical, practical basis and research method
Theoretical basis
The thsis is researched on the theoretical basis of Marxism –
Leninism, Ho Chi Minh ideology, the policies and the views of the Party on
building officer staff.
Practical basis
The thesis is done on practical basis of the leadership process of the
Army’s Party executive committee to build political officer staff, especially
in the years 20012010.
Research method
The author uses a combination of research methods, which mainly
uses historical method and logical method; in addition to using some
other methods such as the method of analysis, synthesis, statistical
method, comparative method, diverging and expert methodology to
perform the thesis.
6. New contributions of the thesis
The thesis presents systematically the policy, the leadership of the
Army’s Party executive committee on building political officer staff from
2001 to 2010.
Give some comments on the leadership process of the Army’s Party
executive committee on building political officer staff in the years 20012010.
Draw some experience applicable in the leadership to build the
political officer staff in the future.
7. Theoretical, practical meanings of the thesis
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The thesis contributes to summarize the theory, and practice of
building political officer staff of the Army’s Party executive
committee in stages from 2001 to 2010.
These findings are document for party organizations to refer in
the leadership process of building political staff; simultaneously,
serve as documents for researching and teaching the Party’s history
in the academy, military school.
8. Structure of the thesis
Structure of the thesis includes: Introduction, overview of the
research issue, three chapters (8 periods), conclusions, list of the
author’s published works related to the thesis, list of references and
appendices.
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH ISSUE
1. Research situation related to the thesis topic
1.1. Group of researches on the position, role and
requirement of building the political officer staff
The books as: The party, political work in the Soviet Armed Forces
1918 1973 of the Institute of Military History Ministry of Defense of
the USSR; Some issues on the party, political work in the armed forces of
the Soviet Union by A.A Episep and The regime of one head in the Soviet
armed forces of author M.N Timopheetrep. The authors highlighted the
achievements of the political cadres at all levels in the armed forces
(former USSR), especially the enormous contributions of the poilitical
commissars. Through it, the authors claim: Only by conducting regularly
and effectively the Party, political work, it is possible to ensure the Army
to follow the right revolutionary path.
In the document Report on the performance of the fostering class on
the party, political work in Xi'an Politics Institute – Chinese People's
Liberation Army by Nguyen Quang Phat. When mentioned about the
formulation of political cadres, the author states: The Communist Party of
China is always interested in building political cadres comprehensively,
contributing to building a politically strong army, ensuring the army always
"Follow the party, serve the people, heroic and warlike".
The science project at ministry level Building the army’s officer staff,
meeting the requirements of the task in the new revolutionary stage by Dr.
Tran Danh Bich, the manager, assesses the actual situation of the officer staff
at all levels, in including political staff. Based on the duties and requirements
of the organization, staffing, staff structure, the topic has proposed some
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solutions to build the political officer staff to ensure rational structure,
sufficient in quantity, enhance in quality and gradually changing, perfecting in
terms of leadership mechanism.
Documents such as Construction of political officer staff at
detachments in the Vietnam People's Army in the current period by
Nguyen Tien Quoc; Building the political officer staff at grassroots
level to meet the requirements of the people's war of national defense by
Nguyen Van Bao; Building the campaign officer staff, strategy to meet
the military requirements and tasks in the new era by Ngo Huu Minh. It
is the authors’ opinion that: It is necessary to focus on improving the
quality of building the political cadres at all levels; which is interested in
building political staffs at detachment level, contributing to building a
comprehensive and strong unit, meeting the requirements of the people's
war for national defense in the new situation.
Articles such as: The role of political commissar, political instructors
in the People's Army of Vietnam today by Dang Van Thi; Promote the role
of the political commissar, political instructors in order to improve the
quality of the party, political work in the army today by To Xuan Sinh;
Promote the role of the political commissar, political instructors to enhance
the effectiveness of the leadership mechanism of the party in grassroots
units by Vu Phu Dung. The authors appreciate the role of the political
commissar, political instructors in building the army politically through
revolutionary periods; especially their enormous contributions in improving
the operational efficiency of the party, political work.
In the documents: Ho Chi Minh’s thought on building political
officer staffs in the Vietnam People's Army by Nguyen Manh Thang; Ho
Chi Minh’s thought on the political commissars in the People's Army of
Vietnam by Pham Dinh Nhin. The authors have clarified the views of
V.I Lenin and Ho Chi Minh’s thought about the position, role, qualities,
abilities, methods, and working style of political officer staff and the
political commissar, political instructors. This is the basis for the Army’s
Party executive committee to apply in building political officer staff in
all stages of the revolution.
In the book Summation of the party, political work in the People's
Army of Vietnam (1975 2005) of the Central Military Comission,
summarized the achievements, constraints and causes, drawing the lessons
on the party and political work from 1975 to 2005. In which: Building the
political institution systems and political officials at all levels with high
quality, really as the core in conducting the party and political work,
building a strong army in politics is a very important lesson.
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1.2. Group of researches on the content of building the political
officer staff
Articles on Planning officers at campaign level, strategy in the
People's Army by Nguyen Xuan Mien; Continue the innovation of
creating resources, recruitment of training students at academy,
military officer schools by Le Trong Binh and books as: Improving the
quality of training and fostering political cadres in the Vietnam People's
Army in the new era of the General Political Department; Improving the
quality of training political officers at division level in the new situation
of the Political Officer Collegue and Standardize and modernize the
training of political officers of the Vietnam People's Army today by the
Academy of Politics. The documents have interpreted the issues related
to planning, creating resources, training, contributing to supplementing
and perfecting the model, the training objectives; simultaneously, set out
the criteria on resource’s quality and the work of developing resources,
training officers, contributing to improving the quality of building
political officer staff.
Articles: Solutions to improve the quality of training political
cadres in the army by Nguyen Dinh Minh; Continue to innovate and
improve the quality of training political cadres in the new situation by
Nguyen Van Tai; Some issues on innovation of training military officers
in the current period by Nguyen Hoang and Solution to decentralize and
fix duplication of content in training political commissars, political
instructors by Nguyen Ba Duong. The authors all agree that: Renewing
and improving the quality of education at schools are very basic, urgent
issues. In particular, focus on innovating contents, training programs
towards modernization, thoroughly overcoming the duplication of content
between grades and subject. Improve the quality of teaching staff and
management personnel; Powerfully innovative teaching methods ...
In the articles: Improving the quality of training and fostering
political commissars, political instructors of the People's Army of
Vietnam today by Le Minh Vu; Appreciate development of political spirit
and creative capability in training political commissars, political
instructors of the current army by Nguyen Tien Quoc; Coordination
between school and unit in fostering the personality of political
commissar, political instructors today by Hoang Van Thanh; Fostering
working capacity of political officer staff at division level in the composed
arm of the Vietnam People's Army today by Pham Dinh Bo. According to
the authors, for the political officer staff to perform the assigned tasks and
responsibilities, it is necessary to stick between training in schools and
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fostering political cadres through practical activities. In particular, focus
on the process of training political officer staff while learning and training
at schools. However, the schools only equip the officers with basic
knowledge, as a basis for developing independent thinking, creativity and
selflearning, selftraining ability for selfimprovement throughout the
working process.
Articles: Training and retraining with the use of military officers by
Vu Van Luan; The issues need to complete on assigning the two political
officials of the company and battalion by Le Viet Hao; Well prepare officer
staff to appoint political commissars and political instructors Key phase
with decisive meaning of the effectiveness of new mechanisms by Vu Van
Luan. The authors confirm that: To improve the quality of building officer
staff, it’s necessary to stick between training capability, quality with the
demand of using officers in both short and long terms. In particular, it should
be planned, trained and used in a scientific way, creating a solid and
coordinate development between groups and generations of officers.
Some articles: The Army strives to well implement some focuses of
the policy work in the new situation by Bui Van Huan; Research, improve
policies for military salaries by Tran Van Minh and Implementation of
the policy work in the Mekong Corps of Phan Tien Hac. The authors think
that: The policy work is one of the important contents of the staffing
work. Therefore, committees, commanders at all levels need to
thoroughly grasp the viewpoints, the guiding ideology of the superiors to
set out guidelines and implement policies in a appropriate and effective
way.
1.3. Group of researches on solutions to improve the quality of
building the political officer staff
The articles: Strengthening the leadership of the Party over the
officer work in the army today by Le Van Dung; Continue comprehensive
renovation of the officer work to meet the new requirements by Ngo Xuan
Lich and The military officer work in the new era by Nguyen Van Dong.
The authors confirm that: The leadership of the party organizations has the
most decisive role to the results of building the officers staff at all levels.
Therefore, the Party organizations at all levels of the Army’s Party
executive committee need to focus on leadership and direction for timely
resolution of weak phrases and sides, contributing to building political
officer staffs with the correct orientations and objectives set out.
The articles: Some issues on improving the quality of political
officers at division level of our army today by Nguyen Van Du;
Develop skills of the Party’s work, the political work of the political
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officer staff at detachment level in units of formed arms in charge of
training, ready to fight in the Vietnam People's Army's today by
Nguyen Phuong Dong. The authors perceive that: Further improving
skills of the Party’s work, the political work of the political officer
staff at all level is an urgent requirement. In doing so, it’s necessary to
strengthen the planning, creating resource, and training; paying
attention to fostering the method, behaviors through the practical
work; focusing on building political bravery, revolutionary morality
for political officer staff and the political commissars and instructors.
Articles: The issue of selflearning to improve the working
capacity building of the political officer staff by Mai Van Hoa and
Selflearning, selftraining important measures for improving the
quality of political instructors in grassroots units in the army today
by Pham Hong Tan. The authors have pointed out: Selfstudy and
training have an important role in contributing to improving the
working capacity of the political officer staff. Only by active
learning, training through practices in a voluntary, creative way is
the main method to help each political officer staff supplement
shortages of qualities, abilities, and working experience.
2. General evaluation of the research results of published
scientific works and the issues that the thesis focuses on solving
2.1. General evaluation of the research results of published
scientific works
Firstly, works in the overview all agree to confirm the specially
important position, and role; at the same time, appreciate the
enormous contributions of political cadres at all levels throughout the
building, fighting and military maturity. So, attention must constantly
be paid to build strong political officer staff, contributing to
improving the quality and efficiency of the activities of the party’s
work and political work, maintaining and strengthening the Party's
leadership over the military in every revolutionary period.
Secondly, the researches confirm the consistent policy of the
Army’s Party executive committee is to pay attention to build
comprehensively strong political cadres, always sufficient in quantity,
quality assurance and compliance of the structure. Especially in the
current period, the requirement of improving quality of the formulation of
political cadres becoming more urgent and important than ever.
Thirdly, some works have studied and, assessed the actual situation
of political cadres in all fields; at the same time, pointing out the causes,
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directions and propose measures to further improve the quality of building
political officer staff, contributing directly to enhance the quality, and
performance of the Party’s work and political work, meeting the
requirements of building the Army in politics in the coming time.
Fourthly, the research results of the works are quite
comprehensive and deep; however, those works just approach and
solve problems in the perspective of different majors of political
science. However, there is no works studying, interpreting
fundamentally and systematically the policy and direction of the
Army’s Party executive committee in building political officer staff
from 2001 to 2010 in terms of the Party’s History Science. Hence, this
is still one of the "gaps" of science for the thesis author to decide to
research and clarify the issues outlined above.
2.2. Issues that the thesis focuses on solving
The research direction of the thesis topic "The leadership of the
Army’s Party executive committee to build political officer staff from
2001 to 2010" will focus on the following fundamental issues:
First, research to clarify the factors directly impacting the
construction of political cadres in the army from 2001 to 2010.
Second, interpret and clarify policies and direction of the
Army’s Party executive committee in building political officer staff
from 2001 to 2010.
Third, review and draw some main experience from the leadership
process of the Army’s Party executive committee to build political officer
staff from 2001 to 2010.
Chapter 1
POLICY AND DIRECTION OF THE ARMY’S PARTY
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO BUILD POLITICAL
OFFICER STAFF FROM 2001 TO 2005
1.1. Objective requirements in building political cadres in the Army
1.1.1. Political officer staff in the Vietnam People's Army
1.1.1.1. The concept of political officer staff
Political officer staff in the VPA is the core forces to conduct the
Party’s work and political activities in the VPA, contributing to maintain
and enhance the absolute leadership, directly in all aspects of the Party
over the military; responsible for education, enlightenment, mobilization
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and mass organizations to revolutionize with the way mainly by persuasion
and not by authority, orders in all agencies and units of the army.
1.1.1.2. Position and role of political officer staff in the army
Firstly, political officer staff are "representatives of the Party" in the
army, guaranteeing the army "follow the right path of proletarian politics".
This is the consistent view of the Party on the role of political officer staff
and the creative application of V.I Lenin's views on the role of the
commissars in the Red Arrmy in the practical conditions of Vietnam.
Secondly, political officer staff is the key force in building
institutions, especially the party organization at all levels. As a key force
conducting the party’s work and political work, activities of political cadres
have the most decisive impact on the quality and efficiency of building the
military organizations, especially the party organizations at all levels.
Thirdly, political officer staff are the key force maintaining the
political battlefield, the military thought. Practical activities of political
officer staff make Marxism Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought play a
key role in the spiritual life of every soldier; making the way, the policy of
the Party and State's laws, resolutions and directives of superiors to perform
thoroughly, unifiedly in the whole unit.
Fourthly, the activities of political officer staff decide the quality,
effectiveness of the party work, political work in the army. Creating high
consensus on the will and action in the entire unit.
Fifthly, political officer staff is the nuclear of cohesionin the unit, a good
example of moral qualities and lifestyle for the team to follow. Each political
cadres is really typical of the quality, capacity, methodology, and working style.
1.1.2. Actual situation of political officer staff and the formulation
of political cadres in the stage before 2001
1.1.2.1. Advatages
First, ensure the number and quality, structure and staffing
organization to meet the mission requirements of the Party’s work and
political work, contributing to overcoming partly the "thin" and
"weak"situation of political cadres; a condition for political cadres to
cultivate, accumulate working experience.
Secondly, the political cadres at all levels always have a firm political
field, absolutely trust in the leadership of the Party, have regular and
constant striving motivation; engaged and dedicated on each assigned task.
Thirdly, qualifications, knowledge and practical working experience
meet the requirements of assigned tasks.
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Fourthly, there is the transparent revolutionary morality and good
working capabilities, a good example in all aspects for the soldiers to
follow.
Fifthly, the formulation of political cadres in the military at all levels
has new developments.
1.1.2.2. Limitations
There are still some limitations such as: striving motivations of some
political cadres are not high, still afraid to strive for improvement in their
work. The source of inferior or continueing sometimes and somewhere is still
insufficient; title and arrangement are not reasonable. Some political officials
have limited scientific knowledge, life skills as well as other social sectors.
1.1.3. The international, regional, national situation and the mission
of building the Army impact the formulation of political officer staff
1.1.3.1. On the situation in the world and regions
The world has entered the twentyfirst century, in the context of
many rapid, complex and unpredictable changes, especially after the event
on 11 September 2001 in the US. The wars with hightech weapons, local
wars, interventions, subversion, terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts take
place tougher. The emergence of a number of countries such as Russia,
China, India ... has changed the correlation of forces, creating a premise to
establish a world order under the multipolar trend. The nontraditional
security issues are emerging, requiring the resolving participation of many
nations. However, peace, cooperation and development continue to be the
big trend, directly govern the relationship of the countries in the world.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a forming
regional structure, working together to successfully solve many problems
left over by history and shaping the framework of cooperation in many
aspects; including cooperation in the military defense field which is
interested in developing by all the countries. However, the disputes over
sovereignty over the South China Sea taking place in a complex way have
a direct impact on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and protection of
benefits of Vietnam.
1.1.3.2. For the domestic situation
After over ten years of implementing the policy of renovation (1986
2000), Vietnam has achieved many very important achievements, bringing
our country out of the economic social crisis. However, Vietnam is still
facing many challenges, complex and interweaving impacting on many
areas of social life. Changes in economic, cultural, social fields, the impact
of the market mechanism’s downsid have a large effect on cognition,
emotion and motivation of some officers and soldiers in the army .
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The hostile forces promote the implementation of the "peaceful
evolution" strategy, overthrowing turmoils against Vietnam revolution. For
the army, they aggressively implement the conspiracy of "nonpoliticize"
army ... Along with these are tricks to hook, pull, and transform thought,
politics for officer staff, in which political officer staff is a focus of the
enemy’s sabotage.
1.1.3.3. Requirements for the task of building the army in the new
situation
Before the development of the national defense mission in the new
situation, the Party determined to focus on building the VPA towards the
direction: Revolutionary, formal, welltrained and gradually modernized.
Continue to strictly implement the military reorganization under Resolution
07/BCT of the Politburo with firm, appropriate steps, contributing to
improving the general quality, the fighting strength of the army. The whole
Army’s Party executive committee continues to promote the
implementation of building and reorganizing the Party under the sixth
Central Resolution (second time) Session VIII.
1.1.4. The Party's policies on building officer staff in new era
1.1.4.1. On the perspective
Firstly, the officer staff are leading factors, holding the most decisive
positions and role to the revolutionary cause. Secondly, thoroughly grasp
the party’s viewpoints on the working class and promote the good traditions
of the nation to build the officer staff. Thirdly, maintain the Party’s principle
of leadership on the staffing. Fourthly, building the officer staff must have
plan, uniform and stable.
1.1.4.2. On the task
Continue to innovate leadership methods of the Party with the
organization and cadres in the political system. Institutionalization of
principles on the Party’s leadership over the officer’s affair and officer staff
management; step up the fight against degradation of thought, morality;
against corruption, wastefulness and other negative manifestations.
1.1.4.3. On standards
Construction of cadres at all levels should attach importance to both
virtue and talent, virtue is the root. For the leading cadres of the armed
forces should meet appropriate standards.
1.1.4.4. On the system of solutions
First, well do the planning and officer resource development.
Second, regularly renew, complete rules on discovery, recruitment, training
and retraining officer staff. Third, regularly renew, rejuvenate leading and
managing staff. Fourth, strengthen the grassroots cadres and the
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implementation of regulations and policies accordingly. Fifth, pay attention
to building, regulating the academy, school and political center.
1.2. The policy of the Army’s Party executive committee on
building political cadres (2001 2005)
1.2.1. Perspective
First, build political cadres should come from political, military
policies of the Party in the new era. All activities of the Army are aimed at
the successful implementation of the political line, military line of the Party.
So, building political cadres should come from the political, military
policies of the Party.
Second, building political officer staff with comprehensive quality
and capabilities to meet the mission requirements of the Party, political
work in the new period. Political cadres must have firm political bravery;
ethical, clean, healthy lifestyle, united and strictly abide by discipline; good
working method and behavior, willing to accept and complete all assigned
tasks.
Third, building political officer staff must be linked to the
development of the Party’s organization and building the party members.
Building political officer staff must work closely with the requirement to
strengthen the organization; especially the party organizations at all levels in
the army.
Fourth, focus on building political staff at division level. In order to
enhance both quantity and quality of the political officers at division level.
Fifth, through practical activities to assess the political officer staff.
Get the results of completing assigned tasks and the confidence of the
masses as a measure of the quality and capacity of political officer staff.
1.2.2. Objectives and tasks of building political officer staff
Political cadres must be absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party,
State and people; have strong political bravery. Really typical in intellectual
capacity, moral lifestyle, have rich practical activities and determination of
longterm military service.
1.2.3. Criteria for political officer staff
Political officer staff must meet the general criteria of military
officers. However, with each officer subject in charge of chairing the
Party’s work and political work or doing research, teaching political theory,
social sciences and military humanities, officials working in agencies must
ensure appropriate standards.
1.2.4. System of solutions
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Firstly, strengthen propaganda and education to raise awareness of
all organizations and individuals in building political staff. Create a shift in
awareness and actions of all organizations and individuals on the task of
building political staffs.
Second, synchronously implement stages and steps of the process of
building political staff at all levels. In particular, focus on improving the
quality of planning, training and management of political cadres.
Third, focus on and put priority to building political staff at
detachment level to successfully implement the policy of the Central
Military Commission on two political officers for each company, battalion
level in sufficient military units.
Fourthly, firmly keep the principles and promote the role of
organizations and individuals in the management of political officer staff. The
Party’s committees at all levels unified the leadership and management of
political officers in the principle of democratic centralism. Promoting the role
of institutions and forces in comment, assessment of political officer staff.
Fifthly, regularly conduct preliminary, final review and draw lessons
for the formulation of political officer staff to draw new issues, have
practical significance contributing to finalize guidelines and plans to build
political officials in the coming time.
1.3. The leadership of the Army’s Party executive committee on
building political cadres (2001 2005)
1.3.1. Raising awareness and responsibilities of the forces on the
task of building political officer staff
Focus on steering to overcome the limitations in the formulation of
political officer staff by implementing Resolution No 27NQ/TW of the
Politburo (Session V); at the same time, conduct extensive propaganda on
the content of Article 26, Section 3 of the Charter of the Communist Party
of Vietnam (Session IX) and Regulation No 71QD/TW dated 04/24/2003
of the Party’s Central Secretariat Committee (Session IX) on Organization
of political institutions in the Vietnam people's Army. Confirm the position
and role of political officer staff who served as chairman of the Party’s work
and political work in each agency or unit.
1.3.2. Directing the implementation of planning, resource
development and training, fostering political officer staff
The Army’s Party executive committee has focused on directing the
relevant authorities and forces to improve the quality of planning, creating
resource, training and fostering political officer staff at all levels. These
innovations have met the requirements of number and quality, especially
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political cadres at detachment level and initially resolve the status of
political officer staff are "insufficient" and "weak".
1.3.3. Directing effective implementation of the management,
transfer and policies for political officer staff
The authorities issued and guided the implementation of regulations
such as the Regulation on the average age of the incumbent officials in
charge of chairing the Party’s work and political work; provisions on ranks
while putting two political officers at the battalion, company level of
enough troops; provisions on rotation and retraining of cadres in actual
operation contributing to restructuring, moderating quantity and quality of
officer staff. Deploy many new regulations on policy work for officer staff.
1.3.4. Directing the preparation of the necessary conditions to meet
the requirements of reforming the leadership mechanisms of the Party's
over the army
The Central Military Commission steers to well prepare all relevant
conditions; firstly, the preparation of human factors, especially political
cadres at grassroots level. Together, the Central Military Commission steers
the summation of the process of implementing Resolution No. 27/NQTW
of the Politburo (Session V) and study completely, submitting the Politburo
(Session IX) to adopt Resolution No. 51/NQTW dated 20/07/2005 on The
continued improvement of the Party’s leadership mechanism, implementing
a commander mode associated with the implementation of the regime of
political commissars, political instructors of the People's Army of Vietnam.
Resolution 51 has marked a step of fundamental development and
perfection of the leadership mechanism and make a powerful change in the
formulation of political officer staff.
1.3.5. Promote the role of the business sector on officer work and
perform preliminary and final review of the work of building political
officer staff
The Army’s Party executive committee has guided the strengthening
organization, staffing and innovation of operating method, enhancing
professional skills for officer staff and employees in personnel work.
Together, the Party committees at all levels regularly direct the
implementation of preliminary and final review, assess the results of
building officer staff.
Conclusion of Chapter 1
In the years 2001 2005, the task of military construction has
developed, in order to meet the requirements of national defense mission in
16
the stage of new revolution, requiring more improvement of the quality in
building the political officer staff; contribute to improving the quality,
effectiveness of the Party’s work, the political work and building a strong
army in politics. Based on the proper assessment of the situation in all
related aspects, the Army’s Party executive committee has proposed
guidelines and focus on guiding the formulation of political officer staff in a
comprehensive, highly effective way. In particular, the strong changes in
cognitive thinking and directing practice for the task of building the political
cadres at grassroots level both in number and quality are rated as the most
outstanding results.
Chapter 2
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ARMY’S PARTY EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE ON PROMOTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF
POLITICAL OFFICER STAFF FROM 2006 TO 2010
2.1. The new factors affecting the construction of political officer
staffs
2.1.1. The international, regional, national situation and
conspiracy against of the hostile forces with impact on building political
officerstaff
2.1.1.1. The new developments of the international and regional
situation
The situation of the world and the region has rapid changes in all
areas. The global economic slowdown (in 2008) has negative impact on the
economy society and political security of many countries. Local wars,
armed conflicts, ethnic, religious conflicts ... continue to take place in many
places with the increasingly complex nature. The big countries have to
adjust the military strategy, modernize the army; notably the strategic shift
to the Asia Pacific region of the US has created major changes in the
region. However, peace, cooperation and development remain a big trend.
Southeast Asia area is basically stable. The strong changes in many
areas, particularly the three main pillars of ASEAN intra relations
increasingly expanded and deepened. Dispute of sovereignty over the South
China Sea despite complicated happenings among some countries in the
region, but basically remains stable.
2.1.1.2. Domestic situation
The achievements after 20 years of reforming the country (1986
2006) made the position and force our country grow much more than
before, the position and prestige of Vietnam are reinforced on the
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international stage. However, the country still faces many new difficulties
intertwining complicatedly. In particular, the risk of lagging further behind
economically has become an urgent problem. The degradation of political
ideology, moral lifestyle persists for a large part of officials and Party
members; bureaucracy, corruption and wastefulness are still complicated.
2.1.1.3. Conspiracy against the hostile forces
The hostile forces are stepping up the implementation of "peaceful
evolution", turmoils; thoroughly abuse the issue of "democracy", "human
rights" and the sensitive, complicated issues left over by the history; deepen
the limitations and weaknesses of the economy; require "nonpoliticized"
the army ... to sabotage the revolution in Vietnam.
2.1.2. New requirements for the task of building the revolutionary,
regular, elite and gradually modern army
Before the development of the situation, raise new requirements for
the task of military construction, namely: First, maintain and strengthen the
Party's leadership over the military. Second, improve the quality of building
strong army in all aspects, including taking the construction of the
politically strong army as the basis. Third, focus on basically adjusting the
organization, personnel and equipment of the army.
2.1.3. The policy of the Communist Party of Vietnam to build the
officer staff (2006 2010)
2.1.3.1. On the perspective
To meet the requirements of the revolutionary mission, in new
period, the view on building officer staff has developed as follows: Firstly,
must come from the economic social development strategy and national
defense to build officer staff. Secondly, thoroughly grasp the Party's
viewpoint on working class in building officer staff. Thirdly, maintain the
leadership principles and adopt practices to assess, classify officers.
Fourthly, attach the building of officer staff with building institution and
renovation of mechanisms and policies.
2.1.3.2. On the objective
Construction of officer staff with firm political bravery, moral, healthy
lifestyle, no bureaucracy, corruption and waste; with innovative thinking and
creativity; unity, cooperation, sense of organization, discipline and scientific
work style; has expertise and profession to meet the requirements of the
period of accelerating industrialization and modernization.
2.1.3.3. On evaluating the officers
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Evaluate officer staff to ensure openness, transparency, objective,
comprehensive and impartial, taking the effectiveness of accomplishing
political tasks as measure of the quality and capacity of officers.
2.1.3.4. On the system of solutions
First, focus on improving the quality of building officer staff at all
levels, pay attention to building the leading officer staff, the heads of
institutions and sectors of the political system. Second, enact and implement
regulations, new regulations concerning officer staff and personnel work. Third,
strengthen research and piloting some important projects in order to strengthen
the officer staff and promote democracy in the field of building officer staff.
Fourth, innovate and deploy synchronically the phases and steps of the process
of building officer staff. Fifth, determine the responsibilities of collectives and
individuals, especially the responsibility of the head of personnel work.
* Before the practical demands of maintaining and strengthening the
direct, absolute leadership in all aspects of the party over the military,
improving the quality of the Party’s work, the political work and promote
the construction of political officer staff at all levels in the army, on 20 July
2005, the Politburo (Session IX) issued Resolution No. 51/NQTW, On the
continued improvement of the Party’s leadership mechanism, implementing
mechanism of one commander attached to the implementation of the
regime on the political commissar and instructors of the Vietnam People's
Army, the Resolution states: On the basis of ensuring strong,
comprehensive, thorough leadership of the Party’s organizations, the Army
implements a commander mode associated with the implementation of the
regime of political commissars and instructors. At the same time, the
Resolution determines: The political commissars and instructors are the
political chairmen, together with the Chief commander playing a role as
chairman of the army are two officers in charge of the units.
2.2. The policy of the Army’s Party executive committee on
promoting the building of political cadres (2006 2010)
2.2.1. Perspective
First, focus on solving quantity, structural adjustment associated
with improving the quality of political cadres at all levels in the military.
Focus on settlement of quantity, adjusting the structure to address the
shortage in quantity; at the same time, contributing to stabilize the structure,
improve the quality of political officer staff, successfully implement the
Resolution 51 of the Politburo (Session IX) and meet the requirements of
adjusting the organization and staffing of the army.
Second, build political cadres at all levels towards a comprehensive
manner, with high quality, legacy and development. Ensure a reasonable,
19
coordinated, balanced and solid legacy among forces, as well as in each
unit. Appreciate the development of political bravery, moral quality,
innovative capacity and the quality of the leaders, matching the regime of
political commissars and instructors.
Thirdly, comprehensively innovate the training of political cadres.
Innovation in training ensures the fundamental, systematic, comprehensive
nature in both breadth and depth, in order to improve the quality and
capacity of political cadres at all levels pursuant to the objective and model
of the political commissars and instructors.
Fourthly, the executive committees at all levels unify the management
of officer work and political officer staff on the principles of democratic
centralism. Seriously implement the Party’s unification of leadership of
officer work and management of officer staff on the principles of democratic
centralism, along with promoting the responsibility of the Committees,
political officers (secretary), commanders, political institutions at all levels.
Ensure publicity, transparency, democracy, promotion of solidarity and
collective wisdom of party committees at all levels for personnel work.
2.2.2. Objective and task
Building political officer staff with comprehensive quality,
capabilities, consistent political bravery, absolute loyalty to the
revolutionary cause of the Party and ready to receive and complete all
assigned tasks. Focus on solving enough political cadres at grassroots level
and strive that up to 2010, the political cadres have sufficient quantity,
increasing quality, to meet the mission requirements.
2.2.3. Criteria for the political officer staff
Political cadres in the military at all levels must ensure common
standards; however, in the years 2006 2010, standards for each officer staff
had new development, consistent with the requirements of the leadership
mechanism under Resolution 51 of the Politburo (Session IX).
2.2.4. The system of solutions
The Army’s Party executive committee has set out the following
basic measures: First, promote the synergy of all levels, sectors and forces
participating in building political officer staff. Innovate methodology of
reviewing and evaluating officer staff to ensure democracy, openness and
transparency; avoid any hasty, subjective, simple, onesided and one
dimensional expression. Second, the executive committees at all levels
focus on leadership and directing the selection and appointment of political
officials served as the political commissars and instructors as requested by
the new mechanism. During the selection, arrangement process, the
political commissars and instructors carried out the motto, guaranteed the
20
right position, remained stability as planned; avoiding partial or lack of
democracy, internal disunity. Third, improve the quality of planning,
resource development, training political officer staff to meet the
requirements of implementing the Resolution 51 of the Politburo. Fourth,
implement the management, transfer and policies for political staff pursuant
to the new mechanism. Fifth, improve the system of legal documents on
organization, personnel, functions and duties of political staff.
2.3. The direction of the Army’s Party executive committee to
build political cadres in the years 2006 2010
2.3.1. Gradually strengthen the organization, staffing and
standardize the political officer staff titles
Standardize the titles, enable political officer staff to promote their
positions, and role on each working position. In particular, focus on
researching and issueing the relevant documents to the titles of political
commissars and instructors as Decision No. 85/QDDUQSTW dated
03/4/2006 of the Central Military Commission on issueing "Regulations
on the responsibilities, powers and working relationships of the
commanders and political commissar, political instructors of the People's
Army of Vietnam" and Decision No. 771/QDBQP dated 04/4/2006 of the
Minister of National Defense on Issuing the titles of political commissars,
deputy political commissar, political instructors and deputy political
instructors in the People's Army of Vietnam.
2.3.2. Focus on steering the comprehensive reform of building
political officer staff to meet the requirements of the new mechanism
The Army’s Party executive committees focus on directing
comprehensive reform of the formulation of political staff to meet the
requirements of implementing the Resolution 51. In particular, focus on the
thorough grasp and education to raise awareness for all subjects on the
position and role of political staff and the political commissars and
instructors; creating conditions for political staff to promote their capabilities
in the working process.
2.3.3. Improving the comprehensive quality of planning, resource
development, training and fostering political officer staff
The Army’s Party executive committee was interested in directing
the construction planning of political cadres in both the short and long term,
to ensure the uniform, comprehensive and meet the requirements of the
practice. Standardize the inputs, coupled with innovating, improving the
quality of training and retraining political officer staff in both school and the
unit. It is considered as a breakthrough in the process of building political
staffs in the period of 20062010.
21
2.3.4. Renovating the assessment, management, circulation and
policy for the political officer staff
On the basis of the criteria specified for each subject for the
committees at all levels to review, evaluate, promote qualified comrades
with capacity; resolutely handle cases of violating the law, poor working
performance. For the officer work to go in order, regulation and quality, the
Central Military Commission issued regulations on the officer work and
directed the relevant authorities to fully grasp and strictly implement
regulations, specify the regulations on the processes and steps of the
process of building political officer staffs.
2.3.5. Pay attention to the development of the business in officer
work in the army to be strong in all aspects
Committees, commanders at all levels in the whole army have
focused on directing the construction of the professional business in officer
work operations on all fields. First, concentrate on reinforcing the
organization, staffing, and constantly improve the professional level of
officials in the whole the sector, creating a powerful change in quality for
professional business of officers, making the officer work in the whole
army evolving to meet the mission requirements of the new revolutionary
stage.
Conclusion of Chapter 2
Thoroughly grasp the viewpoints of the Party, inherit the policy and
leadership results in building political cadres (2001 2005), the Army’s
Party executive committee has identified more clearly the views, objectives,
tasks, standards and solutions to build political staff. Therefore, the results of
building political cadres at all levels (2006 2010) have made fundamental
changes, especially the comrades staff selected and appointed to be political
commissars and instructors. This is an important basis to draw the
comments and experience on the leadership of the Army’s Party executive
committee in building political officer staff from 2001 to 2010.
Chapter 3
COMMENTS AND EXPERIENCE
3.1. Reviews of the leadership of the Army’s Party executive
committee on building political officer staff from 2001 to 2010
3.1.1. Advantages
Firstly, increasingly accurate determination of the position and role of
political staff at all levels in the army. Secondly, actively and promptly set out
guidelines and steer the building of political staff to achieve better results and
22
meet the mission requirements in stages. Thirdly, coherent combination of
building political officer staff with the strategy of building the army in the new
situation. Fourthly, the planning, training, assessment, using, transfering and
policies for political officer staff is more and more better. Fifthly, political officer
staff have developed in a solid and comprehensive way.
Achieved some above results were attributable to the following reasons:
the Army’s Party executive committee has actively researched, mastering all
aspects of the situation and work out proper policies and measures. Always firmly
hold leadership principles, gradually renew the officer work; promoting the role
of organizations, and forces involved in the formulation of political officer staff.
Political cadres at all levels always appreciated their role and position.
3.1.2. Limitations
Besides the advantages already achieved, there are still some fundamental
limitations: First, the grasping and implementing the contents of building
political cadres in some committees, commanders are limited. Second, the work
of creating resources, training, and fostering political staff is limited in some
aspects. Third, the quality and capacity of some political officials do not meet the
mission requirements.
The limitations mentioned above are due to a number of reasons as
follows: The initiative and creativity in building political officer staff in some
committees, commander are not high. The fostering for political officer staff is
not frequent. The downside effect of the market mechanism and the sabotage of
enemy affect the thoughts, emotions, and motivation of some political officials.
3.2. Experience from the leadership of the Army’s Party executive
committee in building political cadres (2001 2010)
3.2.1. Building political officer staff must be associated with the
implementation of leadership mechanisms of the Party and the general
planning of building military officer staff
Political officer staff are an integral part of the officer staff at all levels of
the military, the core force to conduct the Party’s work and political work. So, the
Army’s Party executive committee always cares about the leadership to build
political cadres at all levels to meet the requirements of implementing the Party’s
leadership mechanism and associated with the general planning of
Building military officer staff.
Based on the leadership mechanism of the party and overall planning in
building military officer staff to build political officer staff to ensure the
uniformity, consistency, with a strategic vision will contribute to forming the
political officials having sufficient quantity, quality and stability in structure.
23
The process of leadership in building political cadres in the years 2001
2010, it’s necessary to note the fundamental issues such as: Derived from the
need to use political cadres in the years ahead and long term to orient the creation
of source of political officer staff accordingly. Put priority to select objects with
sufficient criteria for training and retraining and using as planned. Relying on
existing mechanisms to build suitable content, programs, training methods.
Training political cadres has to stick with the layout and use with a continuous,
unified and synchronized process.
3.2.2. Construction of political officer staff must be comprehensive,
attach great importance to the political bravery and revolutionary moral
Building political cadres at all levels in the army comprehensively to meet
the requirements of the task is a matter of paramount importance; however,
building the political spirit and revolutionary morality is a matter of prime
importance, making the political cadres get the mind and position to complete
assigned tasks.
In the years 2001 2010, the Army’s Party executive committee has
regularly been interested in leadership to build political bravery and revolutionary
moral for political staff at all levels. Therefore, the majority of officer staff have
firm political bravery, absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, the Party, State and
people, with clean moral qualities, lifestyle, really a good example for all officers
and soldiers to follow.
From the leadership of the Army’s Party executive committee to build
political bravery and revolutionary moral for political cadres (2001 2010), draw
the following fundamental issues: First, focus on well doing the work of
propaganda and education on Marxism Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology,
the lines and views of the Party and the military mission for political officer staff.
Second, pay attention to practicing the political bravery and revolutionary
moralily for political cadres through practical activities. Third, promote the
exemplary vanguard role of political staff in working and living. Fourth, regularly
take care of the material and spiritual life, help officer staff feel real secure for
political work, sticking to the work and dedication to the army.
3.2.3. In the process of building political staffs, it’s neccessaty to closely
combine between equipping knowledge and imparting practical experience
Knowledge and working experience are the most important factors that
help shape the operational capacity of the political cadres. In reality, the military
cadres ongoing strong transition between generations at all levels. Therefore, the
combination between equipping knowledge and imparting working experience
should be thoroughly grasped and effectively implemented at all stages, steps of
the process of building political staffs.
24
From the combination between equipping knowledge and imparting
experience in the years 2001 – 2010, it is showed that: First, equipping
knowledge must be comprehensive in all fields: politics, military, science,
technology and social fields ... Second, innovate content, teaching methods
towards promoting the positiveness, activeness of learners. Third, implement
measures to impart working experience between generations of political officials
within working practices. Fourth, in the officer work, it is necessary to boldly
promote young staff, along with "keeping fighting qualities" in each agency or
unit. Fifth, pay due attention to the work of preliminary and final practical review
and propose working experience. Sixth, promote the role of selflearning, self
discipline of every political cadres.
3.2.4. Need to standardize and improve the input quality of training
political official staff at division level
The input resource of training political officer staff at division level
accounted for the bulk of total sources of political cadres and is the basic factor
that affects the whole process of forming the planning, schedule of building
political cadres at all levels in the military. So, standardizing and improving the
input quality of political officer staff at division level is very important issue.
The input source of training political officer staff at division levels has
many objects. For each source groups there are different advantages and
limitations; however, from the specific interpretations, source of training political
officer staff at division levels needs to focus on giving priority to some of the
following groups: Firstly, basic training objects from enrollment source.
Secondly, the source objects transfer type from the platoon commanders and
military officers at company level gone through basic training at university
degree. Thirdly, the source object is college students who graduated with social
sciences and humanity major. Fourthly, the source object is the 801 captain
should decrease target quantity and improve the selection criteria of input source.
Conclusion of Chapter 3
In the years 2001 2010, the Army’s Party executive committees focus
their leadership to build political staff to achieve many important
results. In particular, the actively and promptly setting out guidelines
and directing the formulation of political staff, meet the requirements
of the task in each phases; closely link between the formulation of
political officer staff with the strategy of building military in the new
situation; thorough grasp and implement the contents of Resolution
51/NQTW of the Politburo (Session IX) in renewing the stages, the
steps of the process of building political staffs as typical success.
25
Besides these achievements, there is still a certain number of limitations
should be overcome timely.
CONCLUSION
1. Building a new kind army of working class who is really
political elite, absolute loyal to the Fatherland, the Party and the
people is a sharp violence tool of the State, always get and complete
all assigned tasks is an issue of principle in the process of
revolutionary leadership of the Party. In particular, construction of
strong political officer staff at all levels is the content of prime
importance, contributing to improving the quality, effectiveness of
the Party’s work and political work and building a strong army in
politics. However, in each historical period, before the impact of
international, regional, domestic factors; the sabotage of hostile
forces and the requirements, mission of building the army as well as
the status of political officer staff ... for the Army’s Party executive
committee to set out specific guidelines in order to improve the
quality of building political officer staff at all levels.
2. In the years 2001 2010, the mission requirement of
building the army with new development, the Army’s Party
executive committee has focused on leadership and steering the
construction of political cadres comprehensively. In particular, the
Army’s Party executive committee has studied and advised the
Politburo (Session IX) issued Resolution 51 specifying regulations
on implementing the regime of political commissars and instructors
in the army, contributing to the renovation and completion of a
basic step in the Party’s leadership mechanism for the VPA. This is
the basic factor affecting the whole process of building political
officer staff at all levels.
3. The construction of political cadres in the years 20012010
has achieved important results. The Army’s Party executive
committee has focused on strengthening, enhancing the quantity,
stabilizing the structure and gradually improving the quality to meet
the requirements and is a basis to successfully implement the
Resolution 51 of the Politburo in the new conditions. However,
there are still a certain number of limitations should be overcome
timely; in which there are still some certain limitations of the party
committees and commanders at all levels in directing the
implementation as well as the sense of responsibility and
motivation to strive of the political officer staff themselves.