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Seeking the West's goodwill: Premier Pham Van Dong explains Hanoi's Soviet presence and asks for
US help with China on setting terms for peace
The recent visit by Soviet navy ships to Cam Ranh Bay and Danang and the presence of two Soviet
Tu-95D reconnaissance aircraft have raised fears of the establishment of Soviet bases in Vietnam.
For the first time a top Vietnamese official has admitted that these visits took place (though
not specifically mentioning the military nature of the ships and aircraft) and affirmed that they
would continue.
In an interview on April 24 with James Laurie of the American Broadcasting Companies (ABC),
Premier Pham Van Dong described such visits by Soviet ships and aircraft as "normal
practice." He said they would continue, adding, however: "There are no bases here now and none are
planned for the future."
Talking about relations with China, Dong said Peking must show goodwill and then, in an
ironic reversal of history, urged the Americans "to prevail upon their Chinese allies to agree
to reasonable peace proposals." Only seven years ago, the then US national security adviser,
Henry Kissinger, traveled to Moscow and Peking to urge them to prevail upon their Vietnamese
ally to be reasonable at the Paris peace talks.
With as much candor as is possible for a head of government, Dong indirectly admitted
Vietnam's role in overthrowing the Pol Pot regime, and said that in coming months "more nations
will see the justice in our actions in Kampuchea." But he refused to commit himself in anyway
on the future role of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, saying that this would have to be decided by the
new Kampuchean regime.
Highlights of Pham Van Dong's views during the interview:
-- On the Soviet military presence in Vietnam:
"I do not believe the US and Japan have legitimate reasons to be concerned about a Soviet military presence in Vietnam. They know the realities here. There is no reason to be afraid
of phantoms or ghosts. We regard the visits to our ports and airfields of Soviet ships and
planes as a normal practice. That will continue. We are, however, a sovereign and independent
nation and Soviet military bases are an entirely different matter. There are no bases here
now and none are planned for the future."
-- On the talks with China:
"We have a constant desire to have good relations with China. We have taken every opportunity
to put forward reasonable and constructive proposals. However, if agreements are to be reached, the Chinese side too must show goodwill. If the American administration, under
Mr. Jimmy Carter, is concerned for peace in this region and in the world, then I urge the Americans to prevail
upon their Chinese allies to agree to reasonable peace proposals. They should do this all the more so, because it is common knowledge that the Americans have actively supported the Chinese war of aggression against Vietnam. The Vietnamese sincerely desire peace so we can rebuild our country after so many years of war, but peace must be closely linked to our independence and freedom."
-- On refugees:
"The refugee problem is a common one for any nation which experiences a revolution. It's clear
that the exodus of people following our spring 1975 victory was a continuation of the
evacuation of people who could not live under the new regime in South Vietnam which was begun by the Americans. The reasons for the American failure and the reasons for the continued exodus have been made clear in
Mr. Frank Snepp's book Decent Interval.
"The problem of refugees is one of the key unresolved issues between the US and Vietnam as
an aftermath of the war. There of course many difficulties and complexities well known to
everyone. We are seeking every means to avoid imposing hardships on other countries in the region. We are cooperating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to find
the best solution. And we will participate actively in the conference on refugees in Jakarta . . ."
-- On Kampuchea:
"In the coming months ahead we believe more nations will see the justice in our actions in
Kampuchea. But it will take time. We were compelled to strike back at Cambodia to defend
our territorial integrity and safeguard the peaceful life of our people along the border. We fought well and won major victories over the Pol Pot-Ieng Sary forces, thereby bringing
about favorable conditions for the Kampuchean people to develop their own revolutionary struggle which was started on a small scale before.
"As is well known, the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
have signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation in the interests of the two
peoples. I suspect we will be helping Kampuchea for a long period and in many fields. And we believe this is a normal relation between our two countries."
-- On the question of Sihanouk's role in the future of Kampuchea:
"At present, the People's Revolutionary Council of Kampuchea is the sole legitimate and
legal representative of the Kampuchean people and is administering the whole country. It is true that in the past Sihanouk and our government have had good relations. But now the only competent authorities to answer the question about a place for Sihanouk are the Kampuchean authorities in Phnom Penh."
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