China: Days of wrangling over the politically-sensitive memorial service for the former Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang, who died 11 days ago, ended yesterday when the government approved a low-key ceremony.
It will be held tomorrow morning at Beijing's Babaoshan cemetery for revolutionary heroes.
Reflecting communists' nervousness about commemorating a leader purged for tearfully sympathising with Tiananmen Square protesters in 1989, there was no announcement in the Chinese media and dozens of prominent dissidents were kept under house arrest to prevent them mourning in numbers.
The Zhao family has endured an awkward standoff with the government since the 85-year-old died on January 17th.
Initial plans for a ceremony last Sunday were postponed because both sides could not agree on the numbers allowed to attend or the wording of an official eulogy.
The party accused Mr Zhao of making "grave mistakes" for his opposition to the 1989 crackdown. But the elderly politician refused to accept this verdict even though he was under house arrest for the past 15 years.
The Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao reported that the impasse had been broken on Tuesday after the intervention of President Hu Jintao, who insisted that human dignity take precedence over politics.
The compromise, reportedly agreed the next day, allowed the family to invite members of the public, while government representatives will withhold an official pronouncement on Mr Zhao's record until after the memorial. What will happen to his ashes has yet to be decided.
The "body farewell ceremony" will be far less prestigious than a state funeral.
Attention will focus on which leaders attend and how many people pay their respects. - (Guardian Service)