No compromises nor negotiations with adversaries?

No compromises nor negotiations with the VC?

The following is my edited comment on a recent article in the VT website in which the author cogently argued against any "hoà giải dân tộc"  with the VC:

"A cogent, closely reasoned article, but---like many other articles of the same theme: no compromises nor negotiations with the VC because of their evils (which include the untrustworthiness of the VC leadership)---it fails to take into account of the following considerations:

1. Staking and loudly broadcasting a cast-in-stone, inflexible, unyielding position, however correct and justified the position is, is not a wise strategy since it forces and boxes the adversary into a corner and thus he has to adopt, as a reaction, a fight-to-the-death counter-position because he fears, and rightfully so, if he ever loses power, he will be exterminated. A more practical and psychologically more solid strategy is to appeal to the inherent patriotism of our people as well as our fear of genocide and intense hatred for the Chinese, concomitant with a solemn promise of forgiveness and national reconciliation in the spirit of Nelson Mandela when he came to power. Revenge and seeking catharsis by bloodletting are stupid and a waste of human resources. The enemy of the Vietnamese is the Chinese, not other Vietnamese. We need to recognize power in the forgiveness of our wayward brothers. There is true power in the act of forgiveness. It brings forth a healing process to both parties. On the contrary, if everybody in a family seeks an eye for an eye, everybody in that family will be blind and become easy prey for outsiders. 

2. A concrete setting of behavioral examples by Viet expatriates, especially their leaders. What we exhort the local people to do, we must do likewise. So far, the local people have shown more guts than self-appointed leaders and pundits of the Viet expatriates. We must show that the expatriates care as much for Vietnam as our compatriots at home.

3. A unified opposition group that presents itself a better alternative than the VC, and inspires widespread support inside and outside of Vietnam.

4. Short of massive and widespread and unending uprisings of our compatriots at home, the opportunistic and/or patriotic elements of the VC establishment would not seize power and ally themselves with the people in order to ensure the independence of Vietnam from China. How are the self-appointed leaders and pundits of the expatriates going to be a catalyst for such a scenario? Certainly, not by just sitting in an arm-chair outside of Vietnam, and writing unyielding speeches and articles exhorting the local people to rise up while these so-called leaders and pundits don’t put their own necks on the line. These leaders and pundits need to be back to Vietnam with much fanfare and publicity, and be willing to spearhead demonstrations and to risk arrest, torture, and death. Until then their pretty and eloquent words are just pieces of "literature" and acts of self-aggrandizement. Actions speak louder than words. 

Roberto Wissai/NKBa', BSR