[LETTERHEAD OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP]


                                             August 9, 2005



Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Attn:    Mr. Larry Greene
         Division of Investment Management

Re:      Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust (the "Fund")
         Form N-14 Registration Statement (File Nos. 333-126305 and 811-06567)

Dear Mr. Greene:

In connection with the above-referenced Registration Statement, the Fund hereby
requests that the effective date of such Registration Statement be accelerated
so that it will be declared effective immediately upon the receipt of this
filing on August 9, 2005, or as soon thereafter as possible. Please call the
undersigned at (312) 407-0863 or Kevin T. Hardy at (312) 407-0641 when a
determination as to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been
made.

Yours truly,

/s/ Charles B. Taylor

Charles B. Taylor
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP