Kampuchea (Hansard, 11 March 1988)

§ Mrs. Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has about the role of the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge in the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea;
(2) what information he has about the contribution of the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge to the military force available to the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Khmer Rouge has the strongest military forces of the three constituent groups of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea. Its forces operate independently from those of the other two groups.
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§ Mrs. Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which portfolios within the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea are held by the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) has a Cabinet comprising one leader from each of its three constituent groups, of which the Khmer Rouge is one. No distinction is made between different Khmer Rouge factions. The CGDK is administered by four co-ordinating committees, responsible for national defence, economy and finance, culture and education and public health and social affairs. Each constituent group provides one representative to each of these committees. However, the declaration issued when the CGDK was formed states that each constituent group should maintain an independent organisational structure and political identity, and retain freedom of action.

§ Mrs. Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions in the last five years he has met Prince Sihanouk or his representatives, Son Sann or his representatives, or representatives of the Khmer Rouge faction of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Eggar
My right hon. and learned Friend has met Son Sann, in his capacity as President of the Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF), on three occasions in the last five years, most recently in November 1986. He has not met Prince Sihanouk, but officials maintain contact with the prince's representatives and those of Son Sann. The maul purpose of such meetings is to discuss the prospects for reaching a peaceful settlement in Cambodia. We have no dealings with the Khmer Rouge.