Nation: Thieu: Determined and Defiant

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How does South Viet Nam's President Nguyen Van Thieu feel about his own role in the U.S. debate over the war? In an unusually candid hour-long interview with TIME Correspondent Marsh Clark last week, Thieu stoutly defended his government and insisted on its continuance at least until the elections scheduled for 1971. Among the questions and answers:

Q. Our side has been making concessions—stopping the bombing, redeploying troops, offering to let the Communists participate legally in political affairs in South Viet Nam. Do you think this has led to any progress in Paris?

A. Up to now, I do not see any signs of progress. Why? I believe the Communists are convinced they cannot win this war. And so they are counting on the impatience of the American people. They are playing up to those who will accept peace at any price.

Q. Do you believe that this strategy will be successful?

A. I don't know whether it will be successful or not, but I hope that American public opinion will be patient. I think we have made enough concessions. I have made honorable proposals to end the war. And I believe I cannot do anything else without surrendering the country.

Q. Two of the Communists' main points are these: 1) there must be a complete withdrawal of American troops from Viet Nam, and 2) there must be a change of government in Saigon. First, do you think it is possible for American troops to be withdrawn completely prior to a ceasefire?

A. We feel capable of replacing you gradually. We are ready to do our best to replace your forces not in one year, but over a period of years.

Q. But how long is this going to take? You say over a period of years. That scares Americans.

A. You came here to help us repulse the aggressors. As long as we are not capable of doing this by ourselves, you must remain to help us.

Q. Can you conceive of any circumstance in which you would agree to their demand for a change in government?

A. We must not fall into their trap to, in effect, overthrow ourselves. I do not see any circumstance in which we must change the government, except when the people of South Viet Nam say, "We don't want Thieu and Vice President Ky any longer." And if they don't want Thieu and Ky any longer, they have the opportunity to say so in the elections in 1971.

Q. Can you conceive of any circumstance in which there would be a change of government before the 1971 elections?

A. I don't see any possibility. That is, unless the Americans withdraw all troops, refuse to furnish us ammunition and weapons, and cease altogether helping us fight the Communists. Then we could be overthrown by the Communists.

Q. Do you see anything we can do to get negotiations moving? Some people mention de facto ceasefire.

A. I don't believe this is a practical way. We would like to have frank negotiations to settle the war, which will bring a solution to the conflict as a whole. A cease-fire is only the beginning step which leads to a real cessation of hostilities. We must not fall into their trap to have a cease-fire in advance of a solution of the overall war. The Communists will exploit the ceasefire to strengthen their forces, to promote the war. Instead of ending the war, you prolong it.