Diplomat Thieu

When South Viet Nam President Nguyen Van Thieu arrived at San Clemente, Calif., last week, he was warmly greeted with VIP pomp and red-carpet ceremony, including a 21-gun salute. He and President Nixon traded speeches and smiles as 500 Nixon neighbors cheered and waved miniature South Vietnamese and American flags supplied by White House aides. After a two-day meeting with the President, Thieu and his 70 aides and bodyguards flew to Washington, where he embarked on an even more elaborate round of events. A formal dinner with Vice President Agnew as host was only one of a series of black-tie affairs. Thieu also made a ceremonial visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The purpose of his trip to the U.S., Thieu said, was "to express thanks to the American people" for their sacrifices in the Viet Nam War.

Thieu did well during his stay, and his calm self-confidence made some points that enhanced his image both in the U.S. and back home. But in terms of political and economic commitment from the U.S., he may have got something less than what he had hoped for. A communique issued after his talks with Nixon said that the two men had reached "full consensus," which in diplomatic language means less than "full agreement."

To Thieu's displeasure, Nixon gently told him that he considers both sides responsible for the cease-fire violations. Nixon also urged Thieu to move faster in the Paris talks toward setting up free elections and reconciling with the Viet Cong. For his part, Thieu left the impression that he will not be willing to share power with the Communists. His aides privately acknowledged that Thieu wants no political settlement at least for the next year.

Both Thieu and Nixon agreed that the U.S. should continue bombing Communist forces in Cambodia as long as they continue to reject a ceasefire. Worried about advances that they have made there, Nixon dispatched General Alexander Haig Jr., Army Vice Chief of Staff, to Cambodia. Haig will also go to Laos, Thailand and South Viet Nam to make what the White House calls "a general assessment of the situation." Thieu pressed Nixon to assure him that in case of a major Communist attack against South Viet Nam there would be an American reaction. Nixon gave a general assurance that if he deemed the offensive large enough, he would authorize use of American bombers against supply lines and troop deployments.

Instead of agreeing to the $1 billion annually in U.S. economic aid that Thieu had sought, Nixon said that he would ask Congress for about $700 million for the fiscal year beginning in July. Thieu predicted that by 1980 the level of aid could drop to $100 million a year. By then, he hopes that his country will be on its way to doing as well economically as Taiwan and South Korea.

Recognizing that Congress will have to approve economic or military aid to Viet Nam, Thieu behaved like a good statesman in Washington, and he favorably impressed Congressmen. "A very able man," observed House Speaker Carl Albert. "Softspoken, but obviously with a lot of steel to him." At a packed meeting of the National Press Club, where he was presented with a cake in celebration of his 50th birthday, Thieu declared that the South Vietnamese army is now strong enough to defend the country without help. Then he said: "I can assure you one thing. Never, never will I ask again American military troops to come back to Viet Nam."

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