Vietnam Veterans Seek Fresh Blood
Three powerful Vietnamese elder statesmen reckon the
country's leadership needs an infusion of new blood at
the Communist Party's pivotal ninth congress in March.
Former party Secretary-General Do Muoi, former
President Le Duc Anh and former Premier Vo Van
Kiet, who act as advisers to the party and retain great
influence, wrote to current party chief Le Kha Phieu in
October and said they believed the congress should
focus on younger members when selecting the country's
new leadership, party officials say. The officials, who
had seen the letter, say the three men wrote that all
leaders and advisers over the age of 70 should step
down, and added that they didn't want to be
reappointed as advisers. The party officials say this is
an implicit call to Le Kha Phieu, who turns 70 next
December, to step down; Prime Minister Phan Van
Khai reaches that milestone in 2003, they add, and may
get a limited term.
The Far Eastern Economic Review - January 4, 2001.
|