Vietnamese Premier Pham Van Dong, 80, met with the Time Newstour in Hanoi's French colonial-style Chu Tich Phu presidential palace. Dressed formally in a black, high-collared suit that accentuated his bronze features and high-combed silver hair, Pham took questions for more than an hour in a large, red- carpeted receiving hall, under a huge bust of his mentor, Ho Chi Minh. Throughout the session, Pham lived up to his reputation for haughty intractability, flashing anger at some questions, receiving others with a scornful laugh. He also showed an intransigent commitment to maintaining his country's doctrinaire Marxist course.
Yet 10 1/2 years after its Communist revolution, Viet Nam finds itself in desperate need of Western trade and economic aid. Perhaps for that reason, the Hanoi government has begun a series of conciliatory moves. Among them are increasingly specific hints that a negotiated end may be possible to Viet Nam's military occupation of Kampuchea, formerly Cambodia. Additionally, a top official says that this month Hanoi will begin to disinter the remains of U.S. servicemen listed as missing in action since the Viet Nam War. Despite such concessions, however, Pham's country faces an array of diplomatic problems, including China's continuing hostility and U.S. unease over the Soviet naval presence at Cam Ranh Bay. Excerpts from the interview:
Q. If Viet Nam leaves Kampuchea and the MIA problem is resolved, could relations with the U.S. be restored?
A. From the bottom of our hearts we stress our desire to have good relations with the U.S. I have to tell you that the potential appeared as early as 1945. That was a lost, golden chance. Then, later, there were chances to establish relations between the two countries, but again they were chances that you missed. For our part, we are willing. On your part, it is up to you. We think that good relations with the U.S. are not only in our own interests but in the interests of the U.S. as well.
Q. Would one of the advantages of closer U.S. ties be a reduced dependence on the Soviet Union?
A. Why should you be concerned about that? This is our own affair, and you have been told that this does not constitute an obstacle. You may think that I am joking. No, I am serious.
Q. If you were a U.S. President, what would you tell your people to help heal the wounds between our two countries?
A. Viet Nam has left tragic wounds on the U.S. But the U.S. half destroyed Viet Nam. The Americans came to this land when they were not invited. The Americans did here something that cannot be tolerated by people of conscience. That is why I would say that the Americans are morally and materially responsible for Viet Nam. People of conscience are always responsible.
But it is we who moved first to heal the wounds, and the U.S. should do something to that end too. Trade, investment and education are all areas we are interested in. There may be others as well. We consider national economic development our prime task today. We are prepared to develop economic relations with all the countries of the world. The door is open. Why don't you come in?
Q. But if you were an American leader, how would you feel about the Soviet presence in Cam Ranh Bay?
A. If I were in the White House, I would take this as something normal.