§ 11. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the United Nations as a threat to world peace the genocide taking place in Cambodia.
§ Mr. RowlandsWhile I, too, have read with great concern the recent reports of events in Cambodia, I do not think they constitute a threat to world peace. Nor, I should add, have I any means of verifying the truth of the allegations that have been made.
§ Mr. WallIf someone were condemned to death in South Africa, Chile or Spain, the Government would soon protest. In Cambodia half a million people have been condemned to death—according to reports, everyone who is over the age of 12 and educated either has been or will be liquidated. Why are the Government not making any protest? Why are there these double standards?
§ Mr. RowlandsFirst, we would consider making diplomatic representations if we had any diplomatic representatives in Cambodia. Secondly, any protest we made would depend on the effectiveness of such representations. The limited evidence we have suggests that such representations would be nothing but counterproductive.
§ Mr. NewensThe present situation in Cambodia results directly from the appalling bombing and the invasion of that country by the United States, against which hon. Members opposite never raised the protest of genocide. It would 1399 have been better to have supported the original Government of Prince Sihanouk. This proves that support for reaction does not always pay.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe situation is tragic now, as it was in the past.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn order to avoid the charge of double standards, will the Government make every effort to find out what is happening? If the stories are justified, will they make strenuous protests?
§ Mr. RowlandsWe have limited means of finding out what is happening. A lot of information is provided by refugees fleeing across the border. This does not mean that we are not deeply concerned about the evidence. But the form of any representation and the effective result, if any, are what we must consider, and we feel that in this case such representations would be counter-productive.
§ Mr. MaudlingBut will the Government make every effort to find out?
§ Mr. RowlandsOf course we are continually trying to find out information of this kind, whatever country is involved
§ Mr. LawrenceIf the Government discover that the stories are true and that over half a million people have died during the past 12 months, out of a population of over 8 million, will they make sure that steps are taken in the United Nations to raise the matter and, at the very least, will they withdraw our representation in Cambodia?
§ Mr. RowlandsWe cannot withdraw representation which we have not got.
§ Sir Anthony RoyleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.