Vietnam Tells Archbishop To End Catholic Land Protests

The AP reported yesterday from Vietnam that government authorities in Hanoi are threatening to take legal action against the city's Catholic Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet unless he ends the illegal prayer vigils that are protesting government ownership of two pieces of land that previously belonged to the Church. The lands were seized by the government in the 1950's. One parcel was given to a now-privatized garment company (see prior posting), and the other-- the site of the former Vatican embassy-- is being used to construct a park and library. A letter from Hanoi's Mayor accused Kiet of instigating unrest and state television questioned Kiet's patriotism.