INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KAMPUCHEA (Outcome)

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture if he is satisfied with the outcome of the International Conference on Kampuchea recently concluded in New York.

Mr S. Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the whole, I am satisfied with the outcome of the recent International Conference on Kampuchea held in New York. First, despite Vietnamese and Soviet predictions of a boycott of the Conference, 93 member states of the UN attended and made clear their position on the Kampuchean question. It was evident that they felt strong enough about the ASEAN position on the Kampuchean question to attend the Conference, disregarding Vietnamese appeals and propaganda dissuading them from attending. Thirty-six of those who attended are members of the Non-Aligned Movement. The participating countries of the Conference were also well-balanced geographically. By attending, these countries identified themselves not only with the Kampuchean question, which has implications for all UN members, but also with the ASEAN view of finding a comprehensive political solution.

Secondly, the Conference adopted a Declaration and Resolution which contain all the elements which ASEAN feels are essential parts of a solution to the problem, namely:-

(1) An agreement on ceasefire and withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchea under supervision of UN peace-keeping forces;

(2) Appropriate arrangements to ensure that armed Kampuchean factions will not be able to prevent or disrupt the holding of free elections after Vietnamese withdrawal, or intimidate or coerce the population in the electoral process;

(3) Appropriate measures for maintenance of law and order in Kampuchea and the holding of free elections; and

(4) The holding of free elections under UN supervision.

As with all international conferences, differences did arise between ASEAN and others on a few contentious paragraphs in our proposed draft declaration, but these were overcome in the process of discussions. ASEAN was able to arrive at a satisfactory compromise in the language of the Conference Declaration which preserved the important principles that ASEAN put forward. ASEAN would have preferred to see a categorical call for the disarming of all Kampuchean factions. But it agreed to the final formulation as the principle that elections should be held free of armed coercion was agreed by all parties at the Conference. How the principle can be assured will have to be settled when the solution is implemented. ASEAN considers disarming as an effective method which must be considered when the Kampuchean problem comes close to a resolution. I am confident that in the process of negotiations towards a final solution to the Kampuchean question, these elements can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties by ensuring that the people of Kampuchea are not only accorded the right to freely elect their representatives but without duress or coercion from any quarter.

The creation of an inter-sessional committee by the International Conference is also another positive development which we should all welcome. It provides a mechanism for on-going consultations among UN members on the resolution of this problem. It also provides the means to conduct direct or indirect contacts and negotiations with the various parties concerned.

The International Conference was never intended to solve the Kampuchean problem in one meeting. Within the limited aims that ASEAN set for the Conference, the Conference was a success.

Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens): Sir, the Hon. Minister mentioned the proposal for a comprehensive political settlement. Would the Minister comment on the prospects for the implementation of the comprehensive political settlement?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the hon. Member probably means the prospect in the immediate future. I think this problem must be looked at in a time-frame. We have to be realistic. There will be no solution in the immediate future. But as we see it now, in a three to five-year time-frame - this may change if there are developments in other parts of the world - if pressure continues to be maintained on Vietnam and if Vietnam continues to be isolated and continues to pay the price, both political and economic, for the course of action it is pursuing, I think we will see a real movement towards a solution. At that point, Vietnam will realize that the solution as proposed at the International Conference offers the best way out for Vietnam from this conflict. So the short answer is that in the immediate future there will probably be no concrete movement towards a solution, but I am sticking my neck out that in the three to five-year time-frame there will be some real movement.