1.
GV: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong arrives at New Delhi airport and is greeted by Indian Prime Minister, Mr Morarji Desai.
0.24

2.
GV: guard of honour
0.27

3.
LV: Pham Van Dong inspects guard of honour.
0.42

4.
SV AND GV: Pham Van Dong at news conference in New Delhi. (3 shots)
0.50

5.
SV: Mr Dong's interpreter speaks to reporters in English, and Dong continues in Vietnamese.
1.41

6.
SV: officials listen and newsmen take notes (3 shots)
1.48

7.
SV: Dong's ??? interpreter speaks in English and Dong continues in Vietnamese
2.43


INTERPRETER: "There is no doubt at all that this plan will bring about success to our cause..... This is a victory, this will be a victory for the legitimate friendship between the Vietnamese people and the Cambodian people... This will be a victory for our just cause.... This will be a manifestation of the desire of our friends all over the world."



INTERPRETER: "We should point it out here, that for two consecutive years Vietnam has met with natural calamities... and two years means four crops because in Vietnam we have two crops a year....so it is natural that under such conditions we have difficulties in food questions....and in this matter the Indian government has shown an attitude of complete comprehension, a very deep comprehension of Vietnam."



India also agreed to a Vietnamese request to allow Vietnamese scientists to study the peaceful use of nuclear science in its country. India, which exploded a nuclear device in May 1974, has said repeatedly that it will use atomic energy for peaceful purposes only and will never develop atomic weapons.




Initials RH/2315



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In India on Saturday (25 February), the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Mr Pham Van Dong, announced that his country would be getting over 100 million dollars worth of economic aid from the Indian government. The aid is to help Vietnam's postwar reconstruction.

SYNOPSIS: The Vietnamese Prime Minister had arrived in India the day before on a seven day visit. At New Delhi airport he was greeted as he left his aircraft by the Prime Minister of India, Mr Morarji Desai. The two leaders were later to have talks on a number of issues, including the current border conflict between Vietnam and Cambodia.

But the topic which occupied most of their time was the Indian aid programme to Vietnam. Under the programme Mr Dong was promised a 300,000 tonne wheat loan worth about 56 million dollars, and a 50 million dollar credit to buy goods and services.

Mr Dong announced details the following day. Speaking through an interpreter he also discussed Vietnam's peace proposals concerning the dispute wish.

On the aid question, Mr Dong said Vietnam was grateful for the wheat loan which would help ease food shortages.