Indochina (Hansard, 1 November 1991)

§ Mrs. Chalker

On the occasion of the signing of the Cambodian peace settlement on 23 October we announced a number of new aid commitments for Indochina. These commitments are targeted on the needs of the countries concerned and take into account the changed circumstances in the region.

In Cambodia a key element in our aid strategy is to encourage a responsible and co-ordinated approach to the tasks of reconstruction and development, with due regard to local institutional, social and environmental factors. The success of the reconstruction and development effort will be critical to the economic progress and political stability of the country and therefore to the durability of the peace settlement. With these considerations in mind we intend to post an experienced aid administrator to our diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh as well as making available a senior medical adviser from the Overseas Development Administration to the World Health Organisation Office there. The main components in our aid programme to Cambodia will be: English Language training for local administrators and others involved in the development process; a continuation of the support we have already provided for programmes and projects directed to help vulnerable groups. This will include continued support for non-government organisations development and health projects, for volunteers and for a World Health Organisation anti-malaria programme; support for economic development activities related to Cambodia sponsored by the Mekong committee.

For these purposes we are making an initial allocation of £3 million. We shall also be contributing £2 million to the appeal by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for financial support for the repatriation of the people in camps on the Thai/Cambodia border. We stand ready to consider, with other donors, provision of additional financial support.

For Vietnam, we shall be providing £3 million bilaterally towards the international reintegration programme for returned economic migrants. We are also contributing substantially to this programme through our share of the EC budget. We shall also offer a training project to support the economic reform process that is now under way in Vietnam. This project would involve training in such subjects as finance, banking, enterprise restructuring and environmental economics. British non-Government organisations working in Vietnam with Overseas Development Administration support have already put in place a number of sound development projects. We shall continue to support their activities through Overseas Development Administration's joint funding scheme.

I have also approved a small projects scheme for Laos to finance projects designed to help the poorer members of the community.