"It Depends on the Communists"

IN an interview with TIME Correspondent Marsh Clark, President Thieu last week discussed conditions for scaling down the war and his hopes of winning the political struggle:

What do you think the enemy is up to? What is their strategy now?

They still believe that they have to try to achieve military victory to have a strong bargaining position. Secondly, they would like to create a deadlock at the Paris talks and to play on the impatience of the American people. With a deadlock, they believe they can obtain concessions.

Do you feel confident that upon a cease-fire you will prevail in the political struggle that will follow?

I understand that the Communists will try to be active in Vietnamese society. But it will be very difficult for the Communists to convince the people of South Viet Nam to be for them, to adopt their attitudes.

The armed forces of South Viet Nam have improved, and you have stated that they are going to be able to assume some of the roles now discharged by American forces. Also, you've answered "yes" when asked if you envision a phase-out of American troops.

We have a plan for that, but I cannot give you a timetable. It depends on how the Communists act, whether they are ready to de-escalate the war, or step up their infiltration and escalate the war. There will be no unilateral withdrawal of U.S. forces from Viet Nam.

Do you see a start of the phase-out this year?

Yes, if there is a de-escalation of the war by the Communists. We now have the capacity to replace some American combat units, but we must attach conditions. The Communists must show the will to de-escalate the war and to engage in substantive talks. We should not let the Communists take our actions as a sign of weakness or abandonment by the Americans.

What are your internal objectives for your country?

In addition to rural development and pacification, I will pay particular attention this year to the matter of land reform--and in a revolutionary manner. If the government works for a better life for the people, they are ready to cooperate. The population likes progress. I do not think that the population believes that the Communists can do the same thing for them. That is our ideal.

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