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.