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analogous visit to Hungary). The explanation of HM Chargé d'Affaires was that since the Foreign Minister, Nguyen Co Thach, is a member of the Politburo, the role of the International Department of the CPV Central Committee- Secretariat in determining Vietnamese foreign policy, and in particular in ensuring that it reflects the state of CPV/CPSU inter-party relations, is correspondingly less important. The Australian Ambassador has a contact in the International Department but does not find him particularly useful. Mr Partridge said that HM Embassy would try to open a line to the CC Secretariat although it would not be easy. Such a channel could be particularly important when the CPV re-opens a dialogue with the CCP, as surely one day it must. A source of reliable information on thinking within the PAVN would also be invaluable.
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