Top Vietnam dissident seeks to publish newspaper HANOI - Vietnam's leading dissident, retired General Tran Do, has applied to publish a newspaper in his latest joust with the country's communist authorities, sources said on Monday. But the Foreign Ministry, without referring directly to Do, indicated the former revolutionary's application would not be approved. He lodged the application recently at the Ministry of Culture and Information, sources close to Do said. ``As far as we know, according to regulations in the Press Law applicable to Vietnam, individuals are not yet permitted to establish a press organ,'' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement in response to questions from Reuters. Do, believed to be in his late 70s, was expelled from the Communist Party last January after publicly urging the party to ``change or die'' and ditch socialism if that would boost economic growth. He was a party stalwart for nearly 60 years. Diplomats said Do would never have expected to obtain permission to publish a newspaper, but that his move was intended to annoy the party. All media in Vietnam is controlled by the state. Hanoi, which has previously said Do's views would lead to chaos, rarely tolerates dissenting political opinions. Do has not been arrested despite his outspokenness, mainly because of his stature among some senior members of the military, diplomats have said. However, Do has complained of harassment and surveillance of his Hanoi residence. Because of official restrictions, few foreign journalists have been able to contact him. Reuters - July 12, 1999.