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I take this opportunity to make an appeal for many observers to watch us when we count the ballots, so one can see Thieu, Thieu. Thieu. Thieu. mutilated. Thieu. Thieu. Thieu, blank, Thieu, Thieu, until we end the vote. The information center will provide them with helicopters, planes, cars, boats, anywhere, anytime.
Q. What would happen if you failed to get 50% of the vote?
A. Any candidate who respects himself cannot accept less than 50%. He would have to wash his face and go home. I can say that below 50% I'm ready to go. It's a matter of personal prestige.
Q. With the Americans withdrawing, what sort of continuing U.S. involvement do you want?
A. We have 1,100,000 men [under arms]. What we need is not more men but more equipment to cope with what we met in Laos—heavy artillery and tanks. I mention tactical air support, B-52s, helicopters. We do not expect any participation of U.S. infantry troops by the end of 1972. What we need is technicians, advisers, maintenance people [for tasks] that we cannot do.
Q. What if President Nixon were to announce in November that the U.S. was withdrawing entirely by, say, next May?
A. It's not logical, because we cannot fight alone without the minimum of U.S. support. We need the U.S. Air Force, the fire power, the flexibility. This is the real situation of the Vietnamese forces. You know it's quite clear that the Communists will not leave us quiet. They are waiting for the last test with our forces after the American withdrawal. I'm ready for that. So I say maybe a peace settlement may come in 1973.
Q. Are you satisfied that people around the country recognize you as having brought improvement to their lives?
A. Of that I'm very sure. Everyone in the countryside asked by me or others, "What is different about President Thieu?", answers, "Security, prosperity, these two things." They don't care about politics, the Senate, Congress. [They care about] security, freedom of movement, miracle rice, law, land reform, tractors, fertilizers.
Q. Will Minh and Ky be free to organize opposition to you?
A. During the campaign, everyone can speak out against me in every way. When General Minh was in exile, he told me he would like to come back to grow orchids and to be with his sons and grandsons. But I told him he could come, he could organize a political party, he could do anything. Now when he says if Thieu were reelected, maybe he would have to leave the country, I think he is a very narrow-minded man.
Q. Is there any difficulty in your working in the same administration as Mr. Ky?
A. The last time we shook hands was on Armed Forces Day [June 19]. Can you conceive, he began to insult me one year ago? As a politician it's possible, but as a man, it's very different.
KY: A HINT OF FORCE