Nora Owen
Question:97 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he met with the two Cambodian Ministers who were in Ireland recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Meeting with Cambodian Ministers.
I did not meet the two Cambodian visitors mentioned by the Deputy. I arranged that they be met by officials of my Department.
During the course of the meeting my officials were provided with a briefing on the current situation in Cambodia from the viewpoint of the Hun Sen administration in Phnom Penh. They were informed that Cambodia needed humanitarian and development aid.
In turn the Cambodians were fully informed of the policy of the Irish Government and of the European Community in regard to the tragic conflict in Cambodia. The strong wish of the Irish Government and of their partners in the Twelve to see a peace settlement which would exclude the possibility of a return to power of the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge and provide for the formation of a democratic government through a genuine act of self-determination by the Cambodian people, in free, fair and internationally supervised elections was emphasised. It was pointed out that such a government would have the benefit of international recognition, including access to development funds needed to assist in the rebuilding of the country. In the meantime, humanitarian assistance was being provided for Cambodia through nongovernmental organisations by various countries, including Ireland.