No civilian politician has wielded significant power in South Viet Nam since President Ngo Dinh Diem was over thrown in 1963. A succession of generals and military juntas, in or out of uniform, has ruled the country. Civilian ministers have held office but not authority. Premier Tran Van Huong, appointed in May 1968, was no exception. Last week the affable Huong, who enjoys wide popularity among the Vietnamese people, lost what little power he had. President Nguyen Van Thieu replaced him with General Tran Thien Khiem, 43, the hard-eyed minister in charge of police and pacification.
Rumors of a government...
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