Cambodia (Hansard, 12 December 1990)

§ Mr. Hurd

As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Britain has played an active role in continuing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cambodian conflict. In August 1990 the five agreed on a framework for a comprehensive political settlement. This was accepted in its entirety by the Cambodian parties in September when they also agreed to form a Supreme National Council (SNC) which will embody national sovereignty and represent Cambodia at the United Nations. The framework was subsequently endorsed unanimously by the Security Council and the General Assembly.

The five's framework was elaborated into a full-scale draft agreement at meetings in Jakarta from 9–10 November and in Paris from 23–26 November. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The document covers the major aspects of a settlement, including the proposed mandate for a UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC); a ceasefire and related military measures; elections; the repatriation of Cambodian refugees and displaced persons; and principles for a new constitution. A draft agreement guaranteeing the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia; and a declaration on Cambodia's rehabilitation and reconstruction were also produced.

Our objective remains a durable settlement which will enable the Cambodian people to choose their own Government free from the fear of Khmer Rouge atrocities, invasion or civil war. We believe that the five's plan offers the best chance of this. It is now up to the Cambodians to play their part, firstly by resolving the differences between them which have so far prevented the Supreme National Council from functioning; and by stopping the fighting. It will then be possible for the French and Indonesian co-chairmen to reconvene the Paris international conference on Cambodia to complete work on the settlement documents and formally adopt them. We hope that will happen soon.