Article: Vietnam Picks Disciplinarian As Premier; Muoi Brought Socialism To South After Takeover

The Vietnamese National Assembly has elected as premier a senior party disciplinarian, Do Muoi, who played a key role in introducing unpopular socialist policies to south Vietnam in the late 1970s, Vietnam's official state radio announced today.

Election of the 71-year-old Muoi, who last year was put in charge of a government anticorruption drive, comes at a time when the country is beset by a collapse in the national currency and a severe food shortage that some experts believe could lead to widespread famine.

Until a few weeks ago, most observers believed that Vo Van Kiet, 66, was a top contender for the premiership to replace Pham Hung, who died of a heart attack in March.

Kiet, who ...

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