UN SOLUTION TO THE CAMBODIAN PROBLEM

Encik Wan Hussin bin Hj Zoohri asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what is the assessment of his Ministry on the pivotal role of the United Nations in the search for a solution to the Cambodian problem.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, in July 1981 the United Nations convened an International Conference on Kampuchea (commonly known as the ICK) which proposed the principles for a comprehensive political settlement. The UN General Assembly has also repeatedly called for a negotiated solution in its resolutions on Cambodia since 1979. Vietnam has so far rejected the United Nations as a forum for a political settlement. However, the United Nations continues to be available for Vietnam to negotiate a settlement. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the ICK's Ad Hoc Com- mittee are in regular contact with Vietnam. The permanent members of the UN Security Council, which include China and the Soviet Union, also have a role to play in promoting and guaranteeing a negotiated political solution.

Encik Wan Hussin bin Hj Zoohri (Kampong Ubi): Sir, would the Foreign Minister clarify the actual position of Vietnam in respect of two conflicting reports that I have with me? Number one is a report on the 15th August. It is reported that the Thai Foreign Minister said, and I quote:

'He detected a new Vietnamese readiness to negotiate for an end to the conflict.'

Two days after that, on the 17th August, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, was quoted as saying, and I quote:

'He remained pessimistic about the Cambodian problem being solved during his lifetime.'

Perhaps the Foreign Minister will enlighten on the actual or the true position of the Vietnamese readiness to negotiate.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, if one looks at the Kampuchean problem from the day Kampuchea was invaded, that was in December 1978, one can see that there has been a steady progression. Vietnam, which originally denied that it was in Kampuchea and which originally denied that there was such a thing as a Kampuchean problem, now admits that there is a problem and now admits that one ought to seek a solution to the problem. In that sense, I think the Vietnamese are becoming more realistic. They have also become more realistic. In their various denials that they will never negotiate with the Khmer Rouge, they are now focussing their objection on certain personalities rather than on the Khmer Rouge as a whole or on the national resistance groups. So there is a steady, slow recognition on the part of Vietnam that this problem in Kampuchea cannot be wished away. It cannot be swept under the carpet. Since the international community continues to focus on the problem, therefore, they ought to heed the views of the international community.

But at the same time there is an element of truth in Prince Sihanouk's view that the Vietnamese have not changed their objectives or their ambitions. The Vietnamese will still like to occupy Kampuchea, digest Kampuchea, and make it part of a greater Vietnam or an Indo-Chinese federation under the domination of Vietnam. I think it is too early to say that a solution is in sight. But certainly we have moved a long way from what the position was in 1978.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister outline to this House whether ASEAN as a body, or Singapore on its own, has taken up this readiness, whether it is genuine or not, on the part of the Vietnamese to negotiate, whether any initiative has been taken either by ASEAN or by the Singapore Government?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, I must clarify that ASEAN cannot negotiate a solution with Vietnam because ASEAN is not a direct party to the conflict. It is the Kampucheans who have to negotiate with Vietnam. ASEAN can only assist by creating the right conditions.

If Members study the various ASEAN communiques over the years, Members will note that from time to time ASEAN has made specific proposals containing some of the key elements that will be required to find a solution to this problem. We are not in direct negotiation with Vietnam but ASEAN has agreed that one of its members, ie, Indonesia, should be the interlocutor, and Indonesia is in touch with Vietnam. But I am sorry to say that there has not been much progress so far.