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Party 'degenerates' targeted in drive to restore values

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Communist Party 'degenerates' are being targeted by new party chief General Le Kha Phieu as part of a drive to restore cultural values after more than a decade of economic and social reform.

The party General Secretary wrapped up a plenum of its ruling Central Committee by warning cadres they had to take responsibility for a decline in the 'virtue, ideology and lifestyle' of members.

'The elimination of corruption must be our most crucial task,' he said.

'Thorough examination will show that although the majority of Communist Party members are well-behaved and virtuous, there remain more than a few - particularly among those with high vested power - who are degenerate.' General Phieu also spoke out against party elitists who set themselves apart from ordinary people while trying to suppress them.

The 11-day committee session covered a sweeping review of Vietnam's official and unofficial cultural life since doi moi reforms started 11 years ago.

Complex resolutions seek to 'build and preserve' Vietnam's now increasingly diverse culture, which encompasses Buddhist, Catholic and Confucian beliefs - all under a staunchly atheist party.

Diplomats said the closed-door session seemed to ensure there would be 'no turning back of the clock'.

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