FOR RELEASE WITH POLITICAL FEATURE BC-VIETNAM-POLITICS, 1999-09-05 (photo)

FOR RELEASE WITH STORY BC-VIETNAM-POLITICS - A squad of Vietnamese Workers' Militia march at an event in northern Dien Bien Phu held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the final victory over French colonial forces. Vietnam's ruling Communist Party argues it is the choice of the "entire people" but it keeps a firm lid on any dissenting voices or attempts to organise opposition. Analysts say the party is now facing its greatest challenge since the collapse of communism in the former Soviet Union and Hanoi's other Eastern Bloc supporters, and that a strengthening of legitimacy was essential. Photo taken May 7,1999. AJS