§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the United States administration's policy towards Cambodia; and whether they will challenge the seating of the Khmer Rouge at the United Nations by calling for a vote to remove the Khmer Rouge-dominated coalition from this position.
The Earl of CaithnessWe welcome the announced changes in American policy towards Cambodia. We share the United States Government's determination to do everything possible to prevent the Khmer Rouge from returning to power by force of arms.
We and our EC partners have for some while been reviewing our policy towards Cambodia's representation at the UN. We do not want the coalition of which the Khmer Rouge is a member to continue to occupy the Cambodian seat.
§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will send an official fact-finding mission to Cambodia to establish the political, economic and military position in that country; and what steps they are taking to secure the protection of the Cambodian refugees in the border camps in Thailand, particularly those under control of the Khmer Rouge.
The Earl of CaithnessThe United Nations recently sent three fact-finding missions into Cambodia, comprising delegations from the UNHCR, the UNDP and the United Nations Secretariat. Their findings have been made available to us as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council. We shall send a further fact-finding mission to Cambodia as and when we wish to supplement such other sources of information.
1782WASecurity around the camps on the Thai-Cambodia border is the responsibility of the displaced persons protection unit of the Thai Police. The administration of each camp is responsible for internal security. The UN Border Relief Operation, to which the UK contributes funds, finances a group of experts to advise camp administrators on security and policing.
§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What financial support, other than food aid, has been provided to the non-Communist factions of Prince Sihanouk and Son Sann over the last year; and whether this aid will be reviewed in the light of the change in United States policy.
The Earl of CaithnessOur limited financial support for the non-Communist resistance is handed to those living in camps for displaced Cambodians along the Thai-Cambodian border as donations in kind. This has totalled £100,000 over the last year. We also provide financial support for humanitarian relief agencies operating in the camps. This support (£200,000-£250,000 annually since 1983) is channelled through the various relief agencies for food, water, shelter and medical services for the non-Communist groups.
We review annually the level of funding. There are no plans to provide assistance to the non-Communist resistance in the current financial year.
§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made by the European Community foreign ministers with respect to ending EC Member States' support for the Khmer Rouge-dominated coalition at the United Nations, establishing a diplomatic presence in Cambodia and providing aid for the people of Cambodia; when EC officials or ministers will next meet their ASEAN counterparts, and whether the future of Cambodia will be discussed.
The Earl of CaithnessWe and our EC partners have been reviewing our policy towards Cambodian representation at the United Nations for some time. The Twelve hope that a Supreme National Council will be set up in time to represent Cambodia at the UN at this year's General Assembly. The EC has no plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Cambodia. The European Commission has no official aid programme with the Phnom Penh regime, but has sent two allocations of emergency aid for medical purposes this year. The aid was channelled through Medecins sans Frontières and Medecins du Monde.
The Twelve, represented by the Troika, will discuss Cambodia with ASEAN at the Post Ministerial Conference in Jakarta from 27th to 29th July.