§ 9. Mr. Donnellyasked the Lord Privy Seal what reply Her Majesty's Government have sent to the communication they have received from the Chinese Government regarding Laos.
§ Mr. HeathNo written reply has been made to the Chinese Foreign Minister's letters of 28th December and 15th January. Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has personally explained our attitude to the Chinese Government and has given them a copy of the proposal for the return of the International Commission which we have made to the Soviet Government.
§ Mr. DonnellyCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is happening and if there is any further news about the proposal he has been making to the Soviet Government?
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the very long delay which has unfortunately taken place since the Government first committed themselves to bring about a return of the International Commission to Laos, will not the Lord Privy Seal now consider supporting this demand for an intenational conference which, though it may take time to organise, could still come about before the International Commission gets back?
§ Mr. HeathThe time taken up in the communications about the International Commission was in endeavouring to secure agreement between those involved. We are now awaiting a reply from the Soviet Government, and we very much hope that they will be in agreement. To start now on the second course of trying to get agreement about the conference will undoubtedly also take a certain time. Therefore, we are indeed hopeful that we may get agreement on the International Commission and get that under way.
§ Mr. HealeyAs the right hon. Gentleman admits that it may well take time to get the conference convened and since it is quite clear from what has transpired in the last few months that a final settlement in Laos will require a conference, would it not be wise now in any case to set the proceedings in motion so that the conference may be recalled?
§ Mr. RankinOn a point of order. Is there not a Question on this subject at No. 18?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sorry about this. I did not appreciate that that was the same point.
§ Mr. HealeyIt is not the same point. I did not refer to the Cambodian Government's proposals for a 14-nation conference. I referred simply to an international conference.
§ Mr. HeathWe visualise that the International Commission will be able to get under way first. That is our desire.
§ Mr. MayhewMay I ask the Lord Privy Seal—
§ Mr. SpeakerNo. I think we must get on.
§ 11. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on the situation in Laos following his proposal for the resummoning of the International Commission for Supervision and Control.
§ 40. Mr. Mayhewasked the Lord Privy Seal what replies he has received from the Soviet Government to his latest proposals for re-establishing the International Commission in Laos.
§ Mr. HeathHer Majesty's Government have not yet received the Soviet Government's considered comments on the proposals which we put to them on 21st January. There have been further exchanges of view with the Soviet Government, but they are still considering their reply.
§ Mr. WarbeyDoes the Lord Privy Seal appreciate that the right wing rebel, General Phoumi Nosavan, is now clearly determined to fight it out with the support of Siam, South Vietnam and the American military forces, and that in this situation there is a very grave danger of the whole conflict snowballing into one involving the Great Powers? Has it not now got beyond the bounds of something to be dealt with even by an International Commission? Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the importance of urgently setting about preparing for the resummoning of the Geneva Conference powers?
§ Mr. HeathI cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's account of events or of the present position. It is because of the danger involved in the situation in Laos 569 that we have been endeavouring as earnestly as we can to secure the return of the Commission.
§ Mr. MayhewI do not in any way suggest that only one side is at fault in the dispute. Is not the Minister aware that this is an inordinately slow procedure which is being gone through? What is being assumed about the terms of reference of the International Commission? Is it being assumed that they will be the same as they used to be? Fresh terms of reference will be needed, and a conference will be needed for that also.
§ Mr. HeathThese discussions are going on through diplomatic channels and have been pressed forward by Her Majesty's Government as hard as they could. On the nature of the discussions, the hon. Gentleman will not expect me la reveal the proposals made in the exchange of notes with the Soviet Ministers.
§ Mr. HealeyHas the King of Laos agreed to the return of the Commission? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he does not consider that the agreement of the so-called Government of Prince Boun Oum is required before the Commission can return?
§ Mr. HeathWe cannot get to the stage of the King of Laos having a request to receive the Commission until there has been general agreement that the Commission should be brought into being again and the necessary procedure has been gone through.
§ 18. Mr. Rankinasked the Lord Privy Seal the nature of the proposal he has received from the Government of Cambodia for a 14-nation conference on Laos; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. HeathPrince Sihanouk of Cambodia proposed in a letter to the Prime Minister dated 1st January that a conference of fourteen interested states should be held in a neutral Asian country in order to bring peace to Laos. My right hon. Friend replied in a letter dated 13th January. I will, with permission, circulate the correspondence in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
I understand that the Soviet and Chinese Governments have indicated that they agree with it and that the 570 French and American Governments have replied on similar lines to our own.
§ Mr. RankinWhile awaiting the correspondence which the right hon. Gentleman proposes to circulate, in view of the fact that it now seems unlikely that the Control Commission will be reconvened, will not the right hon. Gentleman give his support to this proposal for a conference in view of the fact that it would include the nations on the Control Commission, the nations which were represented at Geneva and the nations in South-East Asia which are concerned in the Laotian problem?
§ Mr. HeathIf the hon. Gentleman will read the Prime Minister's reply, he will see that he set out our attitude towards this proposal but also emphasised, as I have already told the House, a desire to see the Commission in action in order to bring about a cease fire in Laos. I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's statement that it is now unlikely that the Commission will be accepted. We must await the reply of the Soviet Government.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeThis correspondence having been disclosed, why has the Prime Minister made an exception to his rule that correspondence between heads of Government should be kept confidential?
§ Mr. HeathAs my right hon. Friend found that his letter had been published in Cambodia, it was thought only right to make it available here.
§ Following is the correspondence:
§ Text of letter from His Royal Highness Prince Sihanouk, Head of State of Cambodia, to the Right Honourable Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, dated 1st January,1961.
§ Monsieur le Président,
§ Le Cambodge a pour rèle politique la non-ingérence dans les affaires intérieures des autres Etats et a toujours scrupuleusement respecté cet impératif de sa neutralité. 11 ne saurait pour autant demeurer indifférent devant la situation créée à ses frontiéres par la guerre civile qui fait rage au Laos et menace à tout instant de se transformer en conflit international.
§ Je me permettrai, en ma qualité de Chef d'un Etat directement soumis aux conséquences des derniers événements du Laos, d'exposer à Votre Excellence les problémes posés au Cambodge par lévolution tragique de la crise laotienne, et les moyens que ie crois susceptibles d'être utilisés pour aider à leur solution.
571§ 1) La conséquence la plus directe et la plus visible de la guerre civile au Laos est l'afflux de réfugiés laotiens dans notre Pays, réfugiés qui viennent s'ajouter aux sud-vietnamiens ayant trouvé asile au Cambodge depuis plusieurs années et dont le nombre ne cesse de croÎtre.
§ Or, le Cambodge, pays pauvre qui travaille durement pour sortir de son état de sous-développement, n'est pas en mesure de subvenir aux besoins d'un nombre supérieur de réfugiés inactifs sans compromettre gravement son Plan Quinquennal et son avenir même.
§ 2) Plusieurs dirigeants éminents des Pays amis, ceux du camp occidental comme ceux du camp socialiste, m'ont fait part de leurs appréhensions devant les événements graves qui se déroulaient au Laos, événements qui, depuis lors, se sont, transformés en épreuve de force entre les partis en présence. De plus les puissances occidentales et socialistes s'accusent aujourd'hui réciproquement d'ingérences dans les affaires intérieures laotiennes, de soutien armé clandestin aux groupes rebelles, de participation effective à la guerre civile. Ce nouveau motif d'antagonisme entre les deux Blocs rivaux contribue à augmenter la tension internationale et à éloigner la détente que les petioles appellent de tous leurs voeux.
§ 3) Enfin le Cambodge estime de son devoir d'élever sa voix pour prendre la défense du Peuple frére du Laos dont l'existence est gravement menacée. 11 serait conforme à la Charte des Nations Unies, dans sa lettre et dans son esprit, comme au respect du droit des Pcuples à choisir leur régime et leur politique, de permettre au Peuple Lao d'exprimer sa volonté Dar des élections libres, en dehors des pressions et des influences étrangéres.
§ Aucune Nation et aucun Peuple au monde ne peut demeurer insensible devant les souffrances d'un Peuple pacifique qui a recouvré son indépendance depuis quelques années et souhaite que lui soit reconnu le droit souverain de décider de son avenir.
§ On doit reconnaitre que le Laos est aujourd'hui dans une impasse et que la force n'est pas à même de résoudre le probléme posé assez artificiellement par une division de ce malheureux Pays en plusieurs clans rivaux.
§ Les conflits intérêsts idéologiques étrangers, voire les ingérences étrangères. dans le probléme actuel du Laos nous conduisent à penser qu'il serait souhaitable et urgent de réunir en une conférence tous les Pays qui ont manifesté leur intérê à l'avenir du Laos et du Peuple Lao. Cette conférence aurait pour but—étant formellement exclue une partition du territoire lao—de déterminer les moyens susceptibles de ramener la paix au Laos et de donner la possibilité au Peuple Lao d'exprimer clairement et librement son choix de la voie politique qu'il souhaite suivre.
§ Une telle Conference pourrait, je pense, rassembler:
§ — Les signataires des Accords de Genève de 1954, c'est-à-dire la France, la Grande Bretagne, l'Union des Républiques Socialistes Soviétiques, la République Populaire de Chine, 572 la République Démocratique du Vietnam, le Royaume du Cambodge et le Royaume du Laos
§ — Les Nations ayant participé à la Com- mission internationale de Surveillance et de Contrôle desdits Accords de Genève, en l'occurence, la République Indienne, la République Populaire de Pologne, le Canada.
§ II est en effect évident que la situation actuelle au Laos découle directement de la situation créée en Indochine par les Accords de Gèneve de 1954. Mais it est non moms évident que les signataires des Accords de Genève et les garants du respect de ces Accords ne peuvent être tenus pour seule responsables de la guerre civile lao.
§ Je pense qu'il est indispensable qu'à cette Conférence projetée participent également les Nations ayant une frontière commune avec le Laos. suit: la Thailande, la République du Vietnam. I'Union de Birmanie. Enfin les Etats-Unis d'Amérique qui n'ont cessé de manifester leur intérêt pour le Royaume du Laos doivent impérativement être sollicités pour siéger de plein droit à cette Conférence.
§ C'est dans un but totalement désintéressé que je me permets de présenter ce project de table ronde "à Votre Excellence en lui demandant de bien voulour me faire connaître son point de vue à ce sujet. ses objections, ses critiques ou ses suggestions éventuelles, et la suite qu'Elle estime devoir lui réserver.
§ Je me garderai bien de préjuger de l'avenir de ce projet mais je pense que toute Nation qui refuserait la confrontation proposée perdrait une grande partie de son prestige moral et la confiance que lui accordent les petites nations afro-asiatiques.
§ Enfin, qu'il me soit permis de préciser qu'une Celle Conférence devrait se réunir en territoire internationalement reconnu comme neutre. La Suisse répond certes à ces conditions mais son éloignement du coeur du problème rend souhaitable un choix portant sur une Nation asiatique également neutre.
§ Je prie Votre Excellence d'agréer les assurances de ma très haute considération.
§ Text of reply from the Right Honourable Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, to His Royal Highness Prince Sihanouk, Head of State of Cambodia, dated 13th January,1961.
§ Monseigneur,
§ I am most grateful for the personal message which Your Royal Highness has sent me about Laos. I particularly value your views on this matter which so closely affects your country. and I am convinced like Your Royal Highness that we must seek to resolve this problem by negotiation in order to avoid further conflict.
§ I have studied most carefully the proposal for the convening of a special Conference, and I find it of great interest. I have also been reflecting carefully on the proposal which you made at the recent Assembly of the United Nations for a neutral zone in Laos and Cambodia. I feel sure that any Conference convened to deal with Laos would wish to give the full attention to this proposal which it undoubtedly deserves. The trouble is that it would take a considerable time to arrange 573 such a conference and to reach any measure of agreement in it, while in the meantime fighting and bloodshed in Laos would continue with the risk of increased intervention. I feel sure that the first thing must be to try and put a stop to the fighting, and the only method of doing this which appears to have the support of all parties is Mr. Nehru's proposal for the immediate return of the International Commission. I hope that you also feel that this should be our first step. I am working very hard to get general agreement on this course at present and I very much hope that the British Foreign Secretary will shortly be able to invite the Soviet Foreign Minister to join him in asking the Prime Minister of India to take the necessary steps. I should personally prefer to wait and see how the Commission gets on with its task before reaching any final conclusions about the holding and nature of a Conference.
§ If at a later stage we feel that the time is ripe for a conference, I will certainly let you know.
§ I have the honour to be, Monseigneur, your Royal Highness' obedient servant,
§ Harold Macmillan.
§ 19. Mr. Rankinasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will grantde jurerecognition to the present Government of Laos.
§ Mr. RankinIf no formal act of de jurerecognition is required, does it mean that we are now giving de factorecognition to this overthrow of a legitimate Government?
§ Mr. HeathDe jurerecognition is required only where there is a change of regime. In this case, the régime in Laos has been unchanged. Where the Government itself changes, then another Government enters into working arrangements with it, which is what we have done with the present Government in Laos.
§ Mr. HealeyHas the Lord Privy Seal's attention been drawn to the recent Press conference in which the Minister of Education, speaking under the chairmanship of Prince Boun Oum, the Prime Minister of the so-called Government of Laos, admitted that reports recently circulated by the Laotian Government about the entry of Vietnam formations into Laos were totally false and had been circulated only in order to strengthen the morale of people of Laos? In view of this and many other similar facts, can the Lord Privy Seal assure the House that he will not consider the Government of Prince Boun Oum as the legal Government of Laos?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIn connection with the recognition of any particular Government in this country, would the right hon. Gentleman reply to that part of the supplementary question asked him a little while ago by my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew), in which he asked about the terms of reference of the International Commission which the Government of Great Britain would like to see returned? Were not those original terms of reference to implement agreements reached at Geneva in 1954, and, as those agreements seem long ago to have been discarded, is it not the case, as my hon. Friend said, that new terms of reference would be desirable?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not see what that has to do with de jure recognition?