asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the speech which he made to the General Assembly of the United Nations on 25 September 1987 he is now in a position to indicate whether the Irish Government is prepared to recognise the legitimacy of the Heng Samrin Government in Kampuchea as it provides the only effective barrier to a return to the appalling activities of the Khmer Rouge; if he will recommend that the European Community take steps to formally recognise the Heng Samrin administration in Kampuchea; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
Written Answers. - Recognition of Kampuchean Government.
37.
Ireland believes that the Heng Samrin regime cannot legitimately claim to represent the Kampuchean people because it was installed by military intervention by an outside power. This view is shared by our partners in the European Community. On the other hand Ireland does not recognise the Democratic Kampuchea coalition, since this includes the Khmer Rouge faction, whose appalling record prevents its recognition by this country as representing the Kampuchean people.
As I stated when addressing the United Nations General Assembly this year Ireland remains convinced that the basis for a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Kampuchea is contained in the Declaration of the International Conference on Kampuchea which calls for the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops and the exercise by the Kampuchean people of their right to determine their own future.