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Q. Your system is based on the Soviet Union's, yet most of the countries around you are not socialist, and they have advanced economically much faster than Viet Nam. Are you not willing to reconsider your socialist model?
A. We have chosen the path, the best path to advance. I would like to bet you that by the year 2000, you will see it. It will be even more visible by the year 2200. For us, meeting the needs of the people is the most important task. We have but to mobilize the people, energy and brains to carry this out.
I'd like to share a story with you. A girl of ten approached me recently and handed me a bunch of flowers. I asked her, "What do you want to do when you are an adult?" She said, "I want to be a cosmonaut." That is how our children are. The Vietnamese children have great prospects before them. They will certainly do better than what we have done. And when they are adults, they will have better relations with American children than we have had. (Laughs heartily.)
Q. Under what circumstances will your presence in Kampuchea be ended?
A. We have stated our political position very explicitly. In the near future, the Kampuchean issue will be resolved. A political solution will take place. If you wait, this will come one day. It may come earlier than expected.
Q. Must a settlement in Kampuchea be preceded by a dissolution of the Khmer Rouge (the Communist element of anti-Vietnamese resistance)?
A. We have never said so, but in reality it will happen that way because the Kampuchean people themselves will sweep away the remnants of (former Khmer Rouge Leader) Pol Pot. Then the Kampuchean people will no longer need us, and we will no longer need to stay in Kampuchea.
Q. Is Viet Nam conducting secret talks with the People's Republic of China aimed at improving relations?
A. We would like to resume talks with China because normalization of relations is beneficial to both countries. But I have to tell you that as of this day, China has not shown any goodwill.
Q. What do you consider to be the single greatest danger that your country faces?
A. I don't think there is any hazard or danger that makes us overanxious. We are prepared to deal with any possibility or eventuality. Our history has proved this.