Vol. 402 No. 3
21 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the current discussions regarding the setting up of a national supreme council in Cambodia; and if he will outline his views on the negotiations to date.
26 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Ireland's position in relation to (1) the current negotiations for the setting up of a supreme national council in Cambodia; and (2) on the current indications that the Khmer Rouge are conducting savage attacks on the Cambodian people.
28 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will propose, at the EC Council of Ministers, that the EC will not agree to the Cambodian seat at the United Nations being occupied by any grouping with Khmer Rouge membership.
33 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the military advances made in Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge in recent months; of the devastating human impact of the continuing conflict in Cambodia; in light of the recent adoption by the five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations of a Framework for a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodian Conflict, whether he will press the Permanent Five to press for an immediate ceasefire in Cambodia; if, following the establishment of a Supreme National Council which will represent Cambodia at the United Nations, he will press for the immediate allocation of aid already agreed by the United Nations and urge the EC to initiate its own aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
35 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any progress has been made by the EC in making available long term development aid to Cambodia as promised during the Irish Presidency of the EC.
37 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position of the Khmer Rouge and the escalation of the conflict in Cambodia; and on action taken or statements made or proposed by the Irish Government in this matter.
40 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is now a member of the Credentials Committee of the United Nations; and accordingly, if it will raise the issue of leaving vacant the United Nations seat currently held by the Coalition of Democratic Kampuchea.
41 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives which he has taken to advance a United Nations initiative to end the suffering of the Cambodian people; if he will indicate whether reports that arms are being supplied by European countries to the Khmer Rouge is in conflict with a statement issued by the EC in January 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
43 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has instructed the Irish delegation at the United Nations to vote against the continuing representation at the United Nations by the Coalition of Democratic Kampuchea during the forthcoming United Nations session.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 26, 28, 33, 35, 37, 40, 41 and 43 together.
As Deputies will be aware from the answers to previous questions on Cambodia, on 7 February and 9 May, I continue to be deeply concerned about this issue. As I explained, the core elements of Irish Government policy on Cambodia are as follows:
We wish to see an immediate cessation of hostilities in order that a peaceful, just and negotiated settlement can be achieved which will allow the Cambodian people to choose their rulers in free, fair and internationally supervised elections. This settlement must be based on the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia. We wish to see the ending of all forms of external military assistance to the belligerents and there must be no return to power of the murderous Pol Pot Khmer Rouge.
The international negotiations on the Cambodian conflict have continued throughout the summer and a considerable degree of progress has been achieved. At their sixth meeting on 27-28 August in New York, the five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council reached final agreement on the framework for a settlement. This comprises the following five sections.
First, transitional arrangements regarding the administration of Cambodia during the pre-election period. It is necessary during the sensitive period leading up to elections that Cambodian sovereignty be enshrined in a legitimate body which can be a source of authority and unity. Therefore, it has been decided to establish a supreme national council — SNC — composed of individuals representative of the Cambodian people as a whole, to assume this role. The SNC will represent Cambodia externally and occupy the Cambodian seat at the United Nations. The SNC will delegate all necessary powers to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) to ensure the effective implementation of the overall settlement. Second, military arrangements during the transitional period. The enhanced United Nations role will require that UNTAC have a military component. A ceasefire is of the utmost importance. Once it takes effect the military component of UNTAC will supervise, monitor and verify the ceasefire and related measures. Third, elections under United Nations auspices. The people of Cambodia must be allowed to choose their rulers in absolutely free and fair elections. The United Nations will be responsible for the organisation and conduct of free elections. Fourth, human rights protection. Deputies are fully aware of the gross human rights violations which were and continue to be inflicted on the Cambodian people. Any settlement must guarantee the end of this nightmare. The UN Human Rights Commission will continue its active monitoring of the human rights situation in Cambodia and Fifth, international guarantees. The states participating in the reconvened Paris Conference on Cambodia will call upon all other States to recognise and respect in every way the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia and to refrain from any action inconsistent with these principles.
The basic premise underlying the framework agreement worked out by the five Permanent Members of the Security Council is that the Cambodian people should be enabled to determine their own political future through free and fair elections, organised and conducted by the United Nations in a neutral political environment with full respect for the national sovereignty of Cambodia. All the parties to the conflict have been called upon to exercise maximum restraint.
The framework agreement specifically refers to the human rights abuses of the past and stipulates that there should be no recurrence.
At a meeting held in Djakarta, Indonesia on 9 and 10 September the Cambodian parties accepted the framework agreement in its entirety as the basis for settling the Cambodian conflict. They agreed to form the SNC with 12 members representative of all the Cambodian people. They also agreed to elect Prince Sihanouk as Chairman of the SNC as its thirteenth member and that the SNC would occupy the seat of Cambodia at the United Nations. On 12 September, I issued a statement welcoming both the framework set out by five Permanent Members of the Security Council and its acceptance by the Cambodian parties. On 18 September the Twelve member states of the European Community also issued a statement along similar lines.
At a later stage difficulties arose in connection with the Chairmanship of the SNC. These have not yet been resolved and the SNC has not yet nominated a delegation to the General Assembly.
Other recent positive developments include the adoption by consensus of resolutions on Cambodia by the Security Council on 20 September and by the General Assembly on 15 October. Both resolutions endorsed the framework agreement and welcomed its acceptance by the Cambodian parties. The absence of divisive and acrimonious debate, so prevalent in past years, signalled a major step forward in efforts towards achieving a genuine solution to the Cambodian tragedy. The framework agreement now enjoys the unanimous support of the Security Council and the General Assembly. This unanimity by the entire international community contributes an added impetus to the peace process.
Ireland is a member of the UN Credentials Committee for the current session. In my reply to Questions on 9 May I outlined our position on the occupation of the Cambodian UN seat. I stated that I found the position whereby the seat was occupied by the so-called National Government of Cambodia most unsatisfactory. I outlined two acceptable options regarding this state of affairs which might provide a suitable way forward.
One option was that the seat be occupied by a delegation nominated by the Supreme National Council. The second option was that the seat be left temporarily vacant. The situation at the moment is that pending appointment of a delegation by the Supreme National Council the seat has been unoccupied since the session began and no credentials in relation to Cambodia have been submitted to the General Assembly. I expect that credentials will in due course be submitted by the Supreme National Council which will at last provide for a Cambodian delegation made up of representative individuals of all shades of opinon among the people of Cambodia. In the unlikely event that credentials are presented by the Coalition Government, the Irish delegation will oppose their acceptance both in the credentials Committee and in the General Assembly.
I earnestly look forward to the day when the Cambodian seat will be occupied by a delegation of a freely-elected Government of Cambodia.
Notwithstanding the positive developments which I have outlined, I remain gravely concerned about the Cambodian situation and the continuing hostilities on the ground which are inflicting terrible injuries and suffering on innocent Cambodians on a daily basis. I am aware of allegations that arms from various sources have been finding their way to the Khmer Rouge. I realise that it is extremely difficult to control the international traffic in arms. I deplore any arms trafficking to the Khmer Rouge. But I believe that all the member states of the United Nations are sincere in their commitment to peace in Cambodia. I urge, once again, all the Cambodian parties to cease hostilities and allow the momentum of the peace process to accelerate.
It is imperative now that no time be wasted in implementating the steps set out in the framework for a comprehensive settlement. I wish to see a speedy reconvening of the Paris International Conference on Cambodia as soon as circusmtances permit, in order that final agreement can be reached on the comprehensive settlement. I call on all the parties to demonstrate flexibility at this vital stage of the negotiating process.
I am fully aware of Cambodia's need for long term development aid. This need must be addressed in the context of the comprehensive peace settlement to which I have referred. The Community stands ready to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Cambodia when this settlement has been achieved.
There have been two major obstacles so far to a resumption of large-scale international aid to Cambodia. The first was the presence of the Vietnamese occupying army. The second was the fact that the administration in Phnom Penh — which was installed by the Vietnamese — is not recognised by the international community. The first of these obstacles, subject to verification, has now been overcome. We are still left with the second.
I should mention that, at the EC Development Council last May, Minister of State Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn raised with her colleagues the question of whether long term aid could be made available in advance of the establishment in Cambodia of an internationally recognised Government. The general view expressed was that this would not be possible. I believe that this remains the case. However, there was general acceptance of the need for continued and, indeed, increased humanitarian aid. The community — as well as the Irish Government — is continuing to provide such assistance through international agencies and non-governmental organisations. The UN also provides emergency aid to Cambodia.
I sincerely hope that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Cambodian nightmare. I cannot over emphasise the desirability of proceeding rapidly in order that the much needed economic and social reconstruction of Cambodia can commence. I, for my part, will continue to do my utmost both in the community and the wider international arena to bring about the comprehensive and just settlement we all seek.
I thank the Minister for that very full reply. I agree with his analysis of the situation. For the first time for many years there is some light. However, there is a danger of it being quenched before anything comes on the horizon in Cambodia.
Today's Question Time on Foreign Affairs demonstrates the necessity for a foreign affairs committee of this House.
Hear, hear.
Questions are being asked on two very important subjects. I do not quarrel with the length of the answer the Minister has given because the subject was so important they needed that kind of serious response. I thank him for that. If certain things presumed to be happening later today have certain consequences where the people on the left move to the right and people on the right move to the left, let me make a promise on behalf of my party that we will establish a foreign affairs committee in this House if we are in Government after the election.
To comment on the last point the Minister made, things are changing in Vietnam and I would not rule them off the scene altogether. Did the Minister say at an early stage that the UN, he and the EC are ruling out the possibility of any government being formed after elections in Cambodia with Khmer Rouge participation? That presents a problem if there are going to be free elections. Has the Minister been asked for or would he volunteer observers from this House or from this country to make sure those elections are very open and overseen in the fairest and broadest possible way?
I agree with Deputy Barry when he says the situation in Vietnam is changing. I refer the Deputy to a communiqué issued after the last meeting of European Political Co-operation in Luxembourg a week last Monday to the effect that the EC was establishing diplomatic relations with Vietnam which will open the way for other things to flow which are very badly needed there. For the last 12 months this country has played a prominent role in advocating that a relationship with Vietnam be established. One or two countries had certain difficulties for other reasons, I would say reasons of leverage which in my view are totally unacceptable, but we pressed and we are pleased that it has now been established. I agree with Deputy Barry on that situation and we must help them too. I think we helped them; we said the problem of the boat people must be tackled at home rather than abroad. You do not solve the problem by sending people home against their will. There were many suicides and many people did terrible things to themselves in an effort not to be sent home.
With regard to the future government of Cambodia, the only criteria that can be accepted by the international community are that the elections be conducted in a free and fair way and that the will of the people be expressed through the ballot box. If the question arises as to whether observers from this House or this country should be nominated, I would support such a request but it is a matter for the Government to decide. In recent times we have been very much to the forefront trying to get people of like mind on the Cambodian issue to come together and talk. As the Deputy knows, we have been involved with the Australian initiative from the beginning and through the ASEAN group in Djakarta. The major breakthrough there, as Deputy Barry knows and has already acknowledged in this House, was at the EC-ASEAN meeting in Kuching last February when we put it on the line to them there that we were not prepared, not alone as Ireland did on its own last year, to co-sponsor the ASEAN resolution on Cambodia but this time we were prepared to vote against it and vote against the seating of a Cambodian delegation in the format as it has been up to now. If the question of observers to see that the elections meet the criteria we want to see in operation arises, I would be prepared to recommend it.
The time available for questions today is well nigh exhausted. However, I will call the three Deputies — Deputy Owen, Deputy De Rossa and Deputy Michael D. Higgins — and I trust they will be brief.
I ask the Minister to confirm categorically, even if there is a delay or — God forbid — if no national supreme council members are nominated to the UN, whether the Coalition of Democratic Kampuchea have been deprived permanently of their seat at the UN. Secondly, has the Minister raised with the US, the UK, the Belgian and German Governments the disquieting reports that all four of these Governments have been assisting through either training or arms in keeping the Khmer Rouge fighting in Cambodia? The reference there is from a recent documentary by the well known reporter on Cambodia——
I asked for brevity.
I have stated clearly in my reply — which was quite lengthy and I appreciate the Deputy will want an opportunity to read it — what our position is with regard to the seating of a Cambodian delegation. I made that quite clear and quite categorical.
That is the position but are the UN satisfied?
Deputy Michael D. Higgins whose Question No. 37 refers.
My question addressed the circumstances that might arise, and if the increased activity of a military kind of the Khmer Rouge on the ground, assisted from outside, might restrict the developments of which the Minister spoke, and which are the UN initiative. Have his Department been briefed on the present military situation? Will the Minister make a statement on it? Very important, has he raised at the level of the Twelve the breach of accord they have managed on this occasion, unlike the Gulf, in supplying arms and advice training to Cambodian forces such as the Khmer Rouge?
I asked that as well.
I am aware allegations are being made that humanitarian aid channelled through the UN border relief organisation ends up in the hands of the Khmer Rouge and these terrorists. I am assured the UN do all in their power to ensure that aid reaches those in need in the border camps and do what they can to ensure that aid is not given in any way to the Khmer Rouge.
With regard to the element of Deputy Higgins' question that deals with the supply of arms to and training of the Khmer Rouge, we had a discussion on this within EPC and this element was referred to because of its importance. There is a clear recognition by member states of their responsibilities in this respect.
What restrictions, if any, exist in relation to humanitarian aid both in terms of the agencies providing it and the areas within Cambodia which are getting it? In view of the recent UN decision, will he not accept that the embargo which had been applied in relation to aid to Cambodia no longer exists and, therefore, that it will be in order for the UN and the EC to initiate development aid to Cambodia as a matter of urgency in order to save lives and to shorten the misery of the people in Cambodia?
Last year the European Community provided 5.8 million ECU in food aid to refugees and 7.7 million ECU in food aid within Cambodia. In addition .572 million ECU was provided for various projects operated by non-governmental organisations. I do not have fuller details readily to hand but if I have information with regard to the part of Deputy De Rossa's question about conditions and restrictions on aid to Cambodia I shall be glad to communicate with the Deputy.
As I understand it, an embargo in relation to aid existed until recently. My information is that there are $10 million in United Nations aid waiting to be distributed and that it was being held up because of the United Nations' own embargo; that as a result of the recent decision by the United Nations that embargo no longer applies and therefore they should be free to distribute it, and it should be done as quickly as possible.
We must proceed to other business.
I agree with Deputy De Rossa's sentiments and I will do my best to ensure that any aid that has been provided for the people of Cambodia will be given to the people of Cambodia who need it.
That disposes of questions for today.
