CHANGES IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF VIETNAM (Effect on Cambodian issue)

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Leong Horn Kee asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the recent changes in the political leadership of Vietnam, whether (i) the possibility of the Cambodian issue being resolved has improved and (ii) tension in the region has ameliorated with a Vietnam that is focussing its attention on economic reforms.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Sir, the top three Politburo members of the Communist Party of Vietnam retired in December 1986, and in mid-February 1987 there was a ministerial reshuffle. Since the leadership changes, there has been no hard evidence of Vietnam's sincerity in wanting to resolve the Cambodian problem. It has merely repeated pledges to withdraw all Vietnamese troops from Cambodia by 1990 or earlier. Since these pledges of withdrawal are predicated on Vietnam achieving its hegemonistic objectives in Cambodia, they do not offer hope for a solution. Vietnam is not prepared to hold direct discussions with the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea, the party directly affected by Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia.

Whilst the leadership changes and the streamlining of several economic ministries point to a concentration on economic reconstruction of the country, the changes have also promoted several personalities who have been closely associated with the invasion and occupation of Cambodia. These changes do not augur well for any compromise on Cambodia.

The recent spate of Vietnamese initiated moves to promote a dialogue on the Cambodian problem are clearly aimed at giving the misleading impression that there is some movement and a solution is in sight.

Notwithstanding this, Vietnam's preoccupation with economic problems, its nervousness at the improvement in Sino-Soviet relations and its continued international isolation might well lead to a more realistic attitude on Cambodia. We will therefore have to wait for more concrete moves on Vietnam's part.

Mr Leong Horn Kee (Thomson): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether this change of leadership in Vietnam is in fact a change of tack that they have moved from a military expansion scheme to an economic expansion scheme where they can have a better hold on the surrounding countries and then by proxy the Soviet Union could expand its sphere of influence in this region.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not think that is the intention. The economy is in such a bad situation that it will require a lot of convincing for anybody to believe that Vietnam can project its power, its influence, as a result of being a strong economy. I think the primary aim of these changes is to mend the internal economy of Vietnam.

Dr Lau Teik Soon: Can I ask the Minister in view of the changes in the political leadership whether there is prospect for improved relations between Singapore and Vietnam?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, I think it is a bit too early to say what the prospects are. If, as I said, the leadership changes result in some concrete moves in finding a solution to the Cambodian problem, obviously the stage will be set for better relations between Singapore and Vietnam.