Exlied former premier returns for first time since war with US

(15 Jan 2004)

1. Nguyen Cao Ky enters conference room
2. Wide shot Nguyen Cao Ky facing media
3. Mid shot Nguyen Cao Ky and wife facing media
4. Media
5. SOUNDBITE: (Vietnamese) Nguyen Cao Ky, former South Vietnamese General and Vice President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War:
"I think thirty years ago I cried for the first time because I lost my homeland. Today I cried once more because I find my homeland again."
6. Pan from daughter of Ngueyn Cao Ky sitting next to unidentified man, to Ngueyn talking
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nguyen Cao Ky, former South Vietnamese General and Vice President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War:
"I want to say to all Vietnamese in Vietnam or out overseas that Vietnam today is still a very poor country. Vietnam today in the world community is still at the very lowest echelon compared to other countries. So I think it's the duty of every Vietnamese to be united and build a new Vietnam to become a new dragon in Asia."
8. Media
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nguyen Cao Ky, former South Vietnamese General and Vice President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War:
"I think it's very wrong that some - especially some Vietnamese overseas in America - that today asking and demanding that Vietnam has to adopt some sort of democracy like they have in America. My personal opinion is that it was wrong. It's not fit for Vietnam in the present situation."
10. Media
11. SOUNDBITE: (Vietnamese) Nguyen Cao Ky, former South Vietnamese General and Vice President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War:
"Fighting against corruption is difficult and even more difficult is fighting against powerful corrupted people and the Vietnamese government dares to do that. I would like to compliment the government because corruption is invisible doesn't belong to any parties or groups. But if its roots are inside, it will put up many obstacles to nation building."
12. Wide shot Ky standing with wife
13. Close up Ky

STORYLINE:

Former exiled South Vietnamese premier Nguyen Cao Ky returned on Wednesday to the Communist country he fled nearly three decades ago, in his first homecoming trip since the Vietnam War ended.

Ky, 73, of Hacienda Heights, California, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport with his wife, daughter and three friends, becoming one of the best-known political figures from the former US-backed South Vietnamese government to return.

Vietnam, which issued a tourist visa to Ky, has said it welcomes his decision to return.

At a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Ky said he was moved to be back in his homeland.

Ky, whose visit coincides with Tet Lunar New Year festivities, also brought a message of reconciliation.

He urged the people of Vietnam to put the past behind them and build a new country which could be a strong economic force in Asia.

Ky also applauded the Vietnamese government for trying to stamp out corruption.

But he warned against imposing democracy on the country, arguing that such a system was unsuitable for the Vietnam of today.

Ky is expected to visit friends and family in Ho Chi Minh City before flying to Hanoi on January 28 and visiting his hometown of Son Tay, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the capital.

Ky, one of the most colourful leaders during the Vietnam War, was a flamboyant fighter pilot who became premier following a military coup in 1965.

US officials were wary of his reputation as a playboy with a fondness for drinking, gambling and womanising.

The one-time air force general went on to serve as vice president under Nguyen Van Thieu in 1967-1971.











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