§ 2. Mr. Newensasked the Lord Privy Seal whether any new initiatives will be taken at the United Nations by Western nations on the representation of Kampuchea in the United Nations.
§ Mr. BlakerThe question of representation of Cambodia is unlikely to arise at the United Nations until the next General Assembly. We are not aware of any plans for an initiative by a Western country at present.
§ Mr. NewensHow can the hon. Gentleman defend the failure of the British Government to oppose the representation of the Pol Pot regime in the United Nations, when they have withdrawn recognition from that regime and when they accept that it was responsible for millions of deaths and for the mass suffering of ordinary people? Surely, that is an example of the Government's hyprocrisy in the conduct of foreign affairs?
§ Mr. BlakerAs the hon. Gentleman knows, we withdrew recognition from the Pol Pot regime over a year ago. But, as we said at the time, there is no necessary connection between that withdrawal of recognition and the vote at the United Nations.
§ Mr. NewensDisgraceful.
§ Mr. BlakerWe cast that vote in company with 72 other countries holding similar views, and it was carried by a substantial majority. We continue to abhor the Pol Pot regime. We do not believe that the vote that took place at the United Nations will help that regime to come back to power, nor do we wish that to happen.