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Initials EHR/V-B/AW/LW


(EDITORS: GAITSKELL OBITUARY MATERIAL - VISNEWS PROD 0148/62.)

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: STATESMEN AND POLITICAL LEADERS OF MANY COUNTRIES HAVE PAID TRIBUTE TO MR HUGH GAITSKELL, LEADER OF THE BRITISH LABOUR PARTY, WHO DIED LAT NIGHT (FRIDAY) AT THE AGE OF 56.A DRAMATIC TWO-WEEK BATTLE TO SAVE HIM FROM A MYSTERY VIRUS INFECTION ENDED WITHOUT SUCCESS IN THE MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL IN LONDON.

IN LONDON, MR.GEORGE BROWN, OUTSPOKEN DEPUTY LEADER OF THE PARTY, WAS INTERVIEWED ON TELEVISION.SOF BEGINS (INTERVIEWER) "MR.BROWN, YOU KNEW MR.GAITSKELL FOR VERY MANY YEAR....." SOF ENDS (BROWN) "....OF OUR DEMOCRACY."
MR.GAITSKELL DIED WHEN MOST SOCIALISTS JUDGED THAT HE HAD AN EVEN CHANCE OF BECOMING BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.MR.BROWN, A 46-YEAR-OLD "RIGHT-WINGER" WITH A TRADE UNION BACKGROUND, IS TIPPED AS A POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR.