Cambodia (Hansard, 17 December 1990)

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Britain plays an active role in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cambodian conflict. On 26th November, the Permanent Five, the co-chairmen of the Paris Conference on Cambodia and the UN Secretary-General's representative agreed a draft agreement covering the major aspects of a settlement. This offers the best chance of achieving a durable peace to enable the Cambodian people to choose their own government free from fear of Khmer Rouge atrocities, invasion or civil war. We urge the leaders of all the Cambodian parties to respond constructively.

§ Baroness Ewart-Biggs
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. I was happy to hear what he said. However, are the Government planning to meet any representatives from the Cambodian Government in order to discuss the situation in that country? Further, can he say whether there are any government plans to set up a permanent representation in Cambodia as the French Government have done?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, in answer to the noble Baroness's second point, we do not at present have any plans to establish a permanent representation in Cambodia. However, should the situation 644 change, we would wish to look again at the matter. As regards the future, we are not averse to discussions with members of the SNC, but we very much hope that the situation will progress to enable the council to start work. The co-chairmen of the Paris Conference—that is, France and Indonesia—have invited the SNC to Paris to discuss the draft settlement.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister for his endeavours to keep those of us who are interested in the Cambodian situation in touch with current events. However, did he read my speech on the humble Address in which I mentioned my meeting with Mr. Bob Hawke, the Prime Minister of Australia, and Mr. Gareth Evans, his Foreign Affairs Minister? Is he aware of their grave anxieties that people from the Khmer Rouge will masquerade as other decent organisations in order to get back into power? The Australians know a great deal about the situation. That is one of their grave apprehensions. Is the noble Earl prepared to comment on those remarks?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, like the noble Lord, I too have discussed the matter with Gareth Evans, the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister. We are all concerned that the Cambodian people should be allowed to choose who they want to run their country under free and fair elections.

The Earl of Selkirk
My Lords, can my noble friend say whether there is evidence that the Vietnamese want to take over Cambodia in exactly the same way as they have taken over large territories immediately to the north of the country? Alternatively, does he think that that is not on? As I understand it, it is not simply the Khmer Rouge; the Vietnamese are also taking an active part in what is happening.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the Vietnamese army and the troops which were in Cambodia have withdrawn. There are now four parties in the country. We hope that they will take the UN draft document and agree it among themselves through the SNC. We shall then be able to proceed from that point.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, we support the contribution made by Her Majesty's Government towards drafting the peace plan—if I may call it that —and also the plea made by the noble Earl in his initial Answer. However, can he say whether the Government are sending any observers to Paris on 19th December? Further, can he say whether the Government are confident that there is a reasonable prospect of the peace plan being accepted?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am grateful for the first remarks made by the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition. We will go anywhere to try to help the peace process along, just as we have been doing regularly over the past year. I hope that there is now an opportunity for peace which the Cambodians will seize. The Permanent Five of the UN have put in an enormous amount of hard work to get matters to this stage. The ball now is with the Cambodians: if they can move forward, the UN and the co-chairmen of the Paris Conference can then re-enter the negotiations.

§ Baroness Ewart-Biggs
My Lords, first, can the Minister say whether we are planning to send observers to the Paris meeting? Secondly, can he say whether the Government have any plans to provide any training facilities in order to help the Cambodians with their forthcoming elections? Finally, as regards foreign aid, can he say whether we are planning to give any kind of assistance in those areas?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we have spent, or committed, about £2 million this year in connection with aid. If the Cambodians accept the proposals of the Permanent Five, which are contained in a very detailed document, considerably more expenditure will follow.

§ Lord Parry
My Lords, will the noble Earl answer the specific question put to him by my noble friend the Leader of the Opposition? Will there be observers at the conference on behalf of the Government?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I apologise if I did not answer the question. If we are requested to send observers to the conference, of course we shall do so.