Vietnam elder statesman Dong gravely ill-sources
HANOI - Vietnam elder statesman Pham
Van Dong, one of the country's most prominent 20th century
figures, has been hospitalised and is gravely ill, sources close to
the former prime minister said on Wednesday.
They said Dong, who is in his mid-90s, had recently been
admitted to Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi and was suffering a
variety of undisclosed ailments.
Under Vietnam's communist system, the health of current and
former leaders is generally kept a state secret.
``He is gravely ill at the moment,'' said one source.
Dong played a frontstage role throughout one of the most
turbulent periods in Vietnam's history and in terms of stature is
ranked alongside military veteran, General Vo Nguyen Giap,
and was considered close to the late president, Ho Chi Minh.
He served as prime minister for more than three decades until
1987.
Reuters - October 13, 1999.
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