Mike Wallace: Mr Chairman, what do you make of Mikhail Gorbachev's recent speech

in Vladivostok ?

Deng Xiaoping: There is something new in Gorbachev's speech in Vladivostok, and that

is why we have expressed cautious welcome to what is new and positive in it. However,

his remarks also show that he has not taken a big step. Soon after Gorbachev made his

speech, an official from the Foreign Ministry of the Soviet Union also made a speech that

was different in tone. This shows that the Soviet authorities have to decide among

themselves what policies to pursue with regard to China, so we still have to wait and see.

Wallace: Have you ever met Mr. Gorbachev?

Deng: No.

Wallace: Would you like to meet him? He says he will talk at any time, at any level,

about anything. Would you be prepared to meet Gorbachev at the summit?

Deng: If Gorbachev takes a solid step towards the removal of the three major obstacles in

Sino-Soviet relations , particularly if he urges Vietnam to end its aggression in

Kampuchea and withdraw its troops from there, I for my part will be ready to meet him.

Wallace: The Vietnamese said just this morning that they would like to engage in

negotiations with China to bring an end to the difficulties between Vietnam and China.

Deng: Vietnam has said that at least a hundred times. We have told them explicitly that

the prerequisite is the withdrawal of all Vietnamese troops from Kampuchea. The

question of Kampuchea should be settled by the four parties in Kampuchea through

consultation.

Wallace: So, as far as a summit between Deng and Gorbachev is concerned, the ball is in

Mr. Gorbachev's court?

Deng: He should ask Vietnam to withdraw all its troops from Kampuchea. On this

question, the Soviet Union can play its part. Because without Soviet backing, the

Vietnamese could not go on fighting in Kampuchea for a single day. Gorbachev evaded

this question in his Vladivostok speech. That is why I say that the Soviet Union has not

taken a big step towards the removal of the three major obstacles.