Vol. 410 No. 2
12 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government are prepared to make a contribution to the World Food Programme's appeal for the $12 million to help feed the growing number of displaced people in Cambodia, given their terrible suffering due to the continuing war.
15 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the position of the Government regarding the sensitive United Nations talks with Cambodia.
18 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which Ireland will be voting in the autumn at the United Nations on the issue of Cambodia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
36 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's position on the Cambodian peace plan launched on 23 June by Prince Sihanouk; his views on whether a priority should be to ensure that there is no return to power by Pol Pot or any of those associated with him who were responsible for the massacre of millions of Cambodians; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider sending an Irish fact finding mission to Cambodia in view of the recent collapse of the latest round of peace talks in Jakarta and the huge and increasing amount of innocent civilians and refugees who are in need of assistance.
42 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent discussions on Cambodia that have taken place among the Foreign Ministers of the European Community and with representatives of ASEAN countries.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 15, 18, 36, 41 and 42 together.
We have not been approached about the World Food Programme's appeal on behalf of people displaced by the war in Cambodia. I am, however, aware of it and I can inform the House that the delegate of the European Commission in Thailand is currently making arrangements for a Community contribution to the appeal.
Events relating to the Cambodian peace process have moved quite rapidly since the EC-ASEAN meeting at the end of May. The Joint Declaration published at the conclusion of that meeting devoted considerable attention to the issue of Cambodia and reaffirmed the condemnation of the Twelve and the ASEAN countries of those responsible for the extermination of hundreds of thousands of Cambodians from 1975-78. The statement also emphasised the continuing commitment of the Twelve and ASEAN to the UN plan for Cambodia, which has been elaborated by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The Twelve and ASEAN countries desire to have the Paris International Conference on Cambodia reconvened as soon as possible, in an atmosphere conductive to national reconciliation and peace.
A meeting of the Supreme National Council (SNC) with the co-chairmen of the Paris International Conference on Cambodia, France and Indonesia, took place in Jakarta from 2 to 4 June. This was followed by another meeting in Pattaya, Thailand, from 24 to 26 June. I am happy to report that solid progress has now been made in the negotiating process. Most importantly, the parties to the conflict have agreed to an unlimited ceasefire and have undertaken to stop receiving foreign military aid. Agreement was also reached in relation to the chairmanship of the Supreme National Council and it is intended that the SNC will represent Cambodia at the UN General Assembly in the autumn.
These positive developments in the peace process are an indication of a growing spirit of compromise and flexibility by all concerned. However, there is still a long way to travel before the progress towards peace, justice and democracy for the Cambodian people is irreversible. The achievements to date, which have been forged through a long and difficult negotiating process, must be preserved and built upon, so that the current momentum will be maintained.
I will of course, give very careful consideration, at the appropriate time, to Ireland's position on any Cambodian resolution at the UN General Assembly, but it is too early to forecast what the position in the Assembly will be. Last year's resolution on Cambodia was adopted by consensus. I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate, once again, that there must be no return to power of Pol Pot and that any settlement must ensure no possibility of a repeat of the genocidal policies of the past.
I consider that the information available to me on Cambodia is adequate for the purpose of formulating Irish policy and that, therefore, a fact-finding mission would not be justified.
I sincerely hope that the end of the Cambodian tragedy is at last in sight and that the Cambodian people will now be spared further suffering from the wanton destruction and death which the conflict has imposed on them. I will continue to maintain my efforts within the Twelve and in the international arena to bring a just and lasting peace to Cambodia.
I thank the Minister for his reply and I compliment him on the initiative he has shown in this area of foreign policy. I welcome the fact that the EC are considering contributing to the world food programme appeal and I would ask the Minister to ensure that a sizeable contribution is made to assist the 185,000 Cambodians who are currently displaced from their homes, as well as the 360,000 in the camps on the Thai border. The Supreme National Council representatives from the Khmer Rouge side include two people who are as close as one can get to Pol Pot. Does the Minister agree that it would be very difficult for the Supreme National Council to get support at the UN if two of the representatives are clearly people who are responsible for the deaths of many thousands of people in Cambodia? Could the Minister intervene to see if it would be possible to have different representatives from the Khmer Rouge side on the Supreme National Council? I name Khieu Sampau and Son Sen.
My answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. I will have due regard for the situation which the Deputy outlined. I share the views she expressed. Regarding the second part of the supplementary question, the Deputy knows very well that this is a complex and difficult matter which is at present being debated. It was only at the meeting in Pattaya in Thailand on 27 June that any worthwhile progress was made in the past 12 months in achieving the movement. The Deputy is correct when she talks of the sensitivities with regard to personnel, their associations and their involvement at an earlier stage. Our position is quite clear in that we will not be in any way tolerate the return to power of Pol Pot. Of course, we must have regard to advice being given to us by those who are involved. In that respect I maintain close contact with Senator Gareth Evans, the Foreign Minister of Australia, who is personally very much involved and who has come here to brief us on the issue. We have had discussions recently with Foreign Minister Nakayama of Japan who is playing a leading role in this issue too. We will reflect on the situation when we are asked to consider further SNC delegations.
