Peter Barry
Question:29 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Chinese Ambassador, the concern felt by many Irish people regarding the renewed sale of arms by China to the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chinese Arms Sales.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:35 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the latest information available to him regarding the situation in Cambodia; if his attention has been drawn to recent reports which suggested that the Khmer Rouge were now using tanks in their military assault on the Cambodian Government; if any new initiatives are planned, either through the United Nations or the EC, to help secure peace; if his attention has further been drawn to the recent proposals made by the Japanese Government for the improvement on the United Nations draft agreement concerning a political settlement in Cambodia; if the Government supports these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Monica Barnes
Question:37 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of people who contacted him and his Department via telephone or post about the situation in Cambodia.
Dick Spring
Question:39 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the Japanese proposals to the UN in relation to Cambodia, including the provision (1) that the UN would have the mission to verify the different stages of the cease-fires, (2) that any faction which resumes fighting after the demobilisation of troops will be banned from the electoral process and (3) that a special committee be set up to investigate the human rights record of the Khmer Rouge during their period of rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Richard Bruton
Question:41 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he supports the Australian call for an early despatch of a United Nations Good Offices mission to Cambodia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Nora Owen
Question:56 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the current negotiations between the various parties in relation to Cambodia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Nuala Fennell
Question:57 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish Government support the inclusion of the Japanese proposals for a political settlement in Cambodia in the United Nations draft agreement.
Nora Owen
Question:58 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an up-to-date report on negotiations to set up a national supreme council in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Roger T. Garland
Question:59 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the inclusion of the Japanese Government's proposals to improve the United Nations draft agreement for a political settlement in Cambodia which include (1) a United Nations mission to verify the different stages of the cease-fire (2) the exclusion from the electoral process of any faction which resumes fighting after the demobilisation of troops and (3) a special committee to investigate the human rights record of the Khmer Rouge during their rule.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 18, 29, 35, 37, 39, 41, 56, 57, 58 and 59 together.
I was somewhat disappointed by the pace of developments in the Cambodian peace process in the early months of this year. However, the impetus of the negotiations has been restored and there are hopeful signs that the current momentum will be maintained leading to a just and lasting settlement of this tragic conflict.
An important meeting took place in Paris on 21 and 22 December, 1990. At that meeting the two co-chairmen of the Paris International Peace Conference on Cambodia, France and Indonesia, presented to members of the Supreme National Council of Cambodia the draft agreements on a comprehensive political settlement, as agreed by the five permanent members of the Security Council, on 26 November, 1990.
While there was a convergence of views on most of the fundamental points of the draft agreements, some reservations were expressed by the Phnom Penh regime in relation to the role of UNTAC, United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, and its possible effects on the regime's authority and structures.
A bilateral meeting in Hanoi on 1 and 2 February between Vietnam and the co-chairmen of the Paris Conference failed to resolve this outstanding difficulty, which remains an obstacle to reconvening the Paris conference. Moreover, the problem of agreeing on the chairmanship of the Supreme National Council, which I outlined in my statement of 6 December 1990, also remains unresolved. A meeting of the Supreme National Council will take place in Jakarta at the beginning of June and I sincerely hope that with sufficient flexibility all the outstanding difficulties can be finally settled.
I am aware of reports that the Khmer Rouge have used tanks in their military operations and that the regime in Phnom Penh has also used tanks and heavy artillery. The deployment of such heavy weaponry can only intensify the suffering of Cambodians and further delay a peaceful settlement. I am, therefore, happy to note that the latest reports from Cambodia indicate that in response to the appeals of the international community, including that made by the UN Secretary-General, the ceasefire, which the parties to the conflict have accepted, appears to be holding, however precariously.
As I indicated clearly in my statement to the Dáil of 31 October 1990, I deplore any arms trafficking, from whatever source, to the Khmer Rouge. Our concern on that point is well known to all interested governments.
The Government will support all constructive efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Cambodian conflict. Deputies will recall the important part played by Australia in proposing an enhanced role for the UN in a settlement of the Cambodian conflict. I share the view of the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator Gareth Evans, that the current negotiating effort must be complemented by an immediate ceasefire. I welcome the current ceasefire and I appeal to all parties to ensure that hostilities are ended permanently.
During my official visit to Japan last week I had discussions with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Nakayama, on the question of Cambodia and on the Japanese proposals. I indicated to the Japanese Foreign Minister that Ireland welcomed all efforts designed to bring about a just and peaceful settlement of the Cambodian conflict. Japan and Ireland share the belief that the UN plan for Cambodia represents the best avenue towards achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict. We also believe that there must be adequate provision in the settlement to ensure that there is no possibility of a repeat of the genocidal policies of the past.
I am happy to report that a UN "good offices" mission is now in Cambodia. Ireland fully supports the mission and has already contributed £100,000 to the UN Trust Fund to finance the start up costs of the UN operation in Cambodia.
I am particularly conscious and appreciative of the depth of awareness and sympathy that exists in Ireland for the plight of the Cambodian people. Since the beginning of November 1989 my private office and my Department have received approximately 2,200 communications, by letter or by telephone, expressing a desire for a just and lasting settlement of the conflict that exclude a return to power of the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge. This reflects a commendable concern by the Irish people for the victims of this tragic conflict.
I will continue to do my utmost to promote the cause of peace and reconciliation in Cambodia and to ensure that the objective of a comprehensive peace remains firmly on the agenda of the international community.
The international community are making every effort to create the conditions in which the parties to the Cambodian conflict can resolve their outstanding difficulties. It is now up to these parties to demonstrate a corresponding commitment at the forthcoming Jakarta meeting and to facilitate an early reconvening of the Paris conference.
I thank the Minister for his extensive reply and I pay tribute to the 2,200 people who took the time and interest to make representations to his office. In the Minister's discussions with the Japanese Government did he give a commitment and support to the Japanese proposals that the UN draft agreement be extended to give the UN the responsibility to verify the different stages of the ceasefire rather than just accept the word of the Khmer Rouge that they have laid down their arms? Did he accept the setting up of a special committee to investigate the human rights record of the Khmer Rouge during their rule? Did he make a commitment to accept that any faction that resumes fighting after the demobilisation of troops be banned from the electoral process? Those are the three points made for the UN agreement by the Japanese Government.
Of course we support the efforts of the Japanese in regard to this issue. The House would agree that the Japanese are playing a very important role, a role that we all welcome. In connection with Ireland's support for the Japanese proposals for a committee to investigate the human rights record of the Khmer Rouge, Deputies will know that I share their deep abhorrence at the crimes carried out by the Pol Pot regime against the Cambodian people. I have great sympathy with the view that those involved should be investigated and, if possible, be brought before an appropriate tribunal to answer for their crimes. I can support any proposal that will investigate the past and ensure that such practices never recur. However, the urgent necessity for the long suffering Cambodian people is to bring a permanent end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace to that country. I believe that the UN peace plan is the best hope to achieve that objective.
Would the Minister not accept that under the present UN arrangements the Khmer Rouge and their allies could easily misinform the UN and that that is the flaw in the present arrangements which pinpoints the need to follow something along the lines of the Japanese proposal?
I agree with Deputy O'Keeffe.
That disposes of questions for today.