A/35/PV.46 General Assembly

In joining in the important debate on the item now under consideration the Polish delegation highly appreciates the genuine intentions behind the initiative taken by 15 countries concerning consideration at the current session of the General Assembly of the question of peace, stability and co- operation in South-East Asia [A/35/193 and Add.I and 2]. 2. In the entire post-war period that region has not enjoyed a single year of peace. Its nations have had to endure the experience of heavy sacrifice, vast destruction and incalculable losses. Indeed, it is high time to close those gruesome pages and give the peoples in the area all the opportunities they deserve for a peaceful lifeandfor progress intheir development. 3. The region we are talking about is one of great importance for world peace. This is why all States and, in particular the United Nations, whose supreme purpose is to build the edifice of peace, should sup- port the cause of present and future peace therein. 4. The only effective way to achieve that aim is through the creation of the indispensable conditions for stability, co-operation and good-neighbourly rela- tions in the region. This is precisely the letter and spirit of the proposals put forward by the three coun- tries of the region: the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Lao People's Democratic Republicand the People's Republic of Kampuchea. If implemented, these ,unambiguously constructive proposals could bring about a meaningful reduction of tensions in South- East Asia. They would make it possible to overcome conflicts and to ensure peaceful stabilization in the region. 5. Our support for the proposals is based upon Poland's well-known record of struggle for peace everywhere in the world. It is based on our 20-year- long membership of the international commissions for supervision and control in Indo-China. Participating ••... the States represented at the meeting proceed from the fact that it is necessary to consistently work for settling all the international questions by peaceful political means, through negotiations, on the basis of equality and respect for the legitimate interests of each people." [See A/35/558-S/1423I, annex, para. 2.1 It is in this very spirit that my country, together with its socialist allies, spares' no effort to strengthen mutual confidence in Europe and to enter upon the road to real disarmament. 9. The most recent meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs at Warsaw confirmed the firm will of the States parties to the Warsaw Treaty to achieve NEW (;VORK EurtiPe. We re,main convinced that the strengthening of~a~~iJ1 the 'European continent is of importance for ttatfwhole world, since it servesthe strengthening of universal peace. That is why we cannot stress too' strongly our lasting beliefindetente, which is the sole option for the peoples of the world, as well as our readinesstb continue efforts to deepen and consolidate it for the sake ofexpanding the process into all regions of the world. ' 10. Based upon our own European "experience, we strongly believe that the situation ill ,South-East Asia can best be resolved by the States of the region themselves, in other words, by the .States of Indo- China and of the Association of South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN).Only the Indo-Chinese countries and the five ASEAN countries themselves can really safeguard their, own security by putting aside their differences and, promoting relations of lasting co- operation based on mutual understanding, respect for each other's legitimate interests andJ?eaceful coexis- tence without foreign interference. we are' happy to note that this is also the essence of the statement of the Conference of the Foreign Ministers of Laos, Kampuchea and Viet Nam, held At Vientiane on 18 July last [A/35/347-SI/4071 and corr.t, annex I]. 11. Latest developments indicate that'the prospects for progress are goOd. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has recently presented a proposal whereby, once the outsi~e pressure on the Inde-Chinese countries ceases to"exist. the Vietnamese forces will be with- drawn from Kampuchea. 12. Viet Nam has also expressed its readiness, on the basis of reciprocity, to asree to an undertaking with Thailand to respect each other's sovereignty and terri- torial integrity within existing borders and to end all .hostile acts by one side against the other, as well as to take other practical measures with that end in view. Onthe 'basis of the situation along the Kampuchean- Thai border, the Govemmentof the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the People's Revolutionary Council of Kampuchea will discuss anddecide on Viet Nam's withdrawal of a number of its troops from Kampu- chea. We take this as an extremely encouraging development, since it does open up an optimistic prospect of all the countries concemed working out a political solution to questions of peace, stability and co--operation in South-East Asia. 13. The Polish delegation has reason to expect that the United' Nations,' with its recognized moral and political authority, will also contribute its statutory share to the normalization of the political situation in South-East Asia, and to securing for the Khmer people and. all peoples of Indo-China and South-East Asia .$uch extemal conditions as to enable their unhindered peaceful development, 14. We are deeply convinced \.. at,given political will on all sides, objective conditions exist for the countries of Indo-China and those of ASEAN to build I Finld' Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in El lpe, signed at Helsinki on 1 August 1975. ,h~s taken the initiative in proposing the consideration .at this session of the General Assembly of the item entitled "Question of peace,.stability and co-operation in South-East Asia". 16. The motives which have inspired our delegation to submit this item are set forth in the explanatory memorandum ofthe initiators ofthe proposal [A/35//93 and Add.I and 2, annex]. 17. In our statement today we should like to indicate some additional considerations behind our proposal. 18. I hardly think that anyone can have any doubts about the timeliness and urgency ofthis item on peace, stability and co-operation in South-East Asia. For 35 years now, that region has constantly been a dangerous centre of international tension, a threat to the peace and security not only of the peoples of Asia but of the whole world. This is particularly true of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, where the peoples of Viet Nam, Laos and Kampuchea are pursuing their selfless struggle for freedom, independence and free development. 19. The heroic victory of the Vietnamese people over the mighty war machine of American imperialism, which ended the longest and bloodiest war of all those which have taken place since the Second World War; the creation of a single socialist Viet Nam; the birth ef the Lao People's Democratic Republic and of the People's Republic of Kampuchea have marked a new stage in the life of the peoples of Indo-China, making it possible to eliminate a dangerous source of war in that part of the' world-a major premise for the strengthening of peace and security in South-East Asia and in the whole world. 20. However, the peoples of Indo-China have once again had to abandon their peaceful, constructive labour and again take up arms to defend their conquests. The designs of, the forces of imperialism and hegemonism, which have not abandoned their aggressive and expansionist aims and are unwilling to accept the new reality, have of late seriously ag- gravated the situation in that region of South-East Asia. 21. Socialist Viet Nam, which, in an heroic struggle lasting many years won its right to independence, has again fallen the victim of open aggression, but this time at the hands ofthe Peking expansionists, who have assigned themselves the right to' give "lessons" to other countries and peoples by force of arms. ,Peking is continuing to heat up that already over- heated situation on the border of' the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Indeed, the Kampuchean-Thai border is a new frontier of "undeclared war" and is being used to maintain the Pol Pot bands, which are continuing to commit acts of armed provocation against Kampuchea. 22. Moreover, there have been endless attempts to internationalize the situation on the Kampuchean-Thai 25. The Mongolian delegation feels that in these circumstances consistent efforts must be made by all countries, particularly those of South-East Asia, to achieve peace, stability, and an atmosphere ofmutual trust in that part of the world. 26. The numerous constructive initiatives of the three countries of Indo-China have aimed at precisely those goals; they are reflected, in particular, in the documents of the recent meetings of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, Laos and the People's Republic of Kampuchea, In the aforementioned docu- ments such measures are proposed as bilateral agree- ments between the countries of Indo-China and of ASEAN on non-aggression and the creation of a demilitarized zone on both sides of the Kampuchean- Thai border; pending the creation of that zone, both sides should undertake an obligation C'f mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, within existing borders, put an end to the hostile acts against each other, prohibit the remnants of the Pol Pot armed bands and other reactionary forces from using Thai territory, cease supplying them with weapons and food- stuffs, disarm those forces and confine them to various camps and remove the refugee camps from the border areas. 27. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has unam- biguously expressed its willingness to withdraw its armed forces, which are there at the request of the People's Revolutionary Council of the People's Re- public of Kampuchea, when the circumstances that made it necessary to introduce those forces no longer exist; in other words, when the threat to People's Kampuchea has been eliminated. The sincerity of those intentions can,be seen from the readiness of the Government ofthe Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the People's Revolutionary Council of Kampuchea to discuss and settle the question of withdrawing, even before the creation of a demilitarized zone, the part of the Vietnamese forces stationed along the border between the People's Republic of Kampuchea and Thailand. 28. That is the way we look at the dialogue recently undertaken between the countries of Indo-China and the States members of ASEAN, with tile good offices of the Secretary-General, which we welcome. We feel that such efforts should be continued in the future and' hope that they will be made on the basis of reciprocity. 33. The PRESIOENT: Before I call on the next speaker, I should like to remind representatives that I shall have to call on speakers in'the order in which they have. put their names on the list, unless repre- sentatives mutually agree to change places. I mention this now because I see that some of thoseinscnbed on the list are not present here. I sh~l call on them, and if they are not here to speak they will go to the end of the list.

The questionofpeace, stability and co-operation in its broadest sense. is uppermost in the minds of all peace-loving peoples and Governments whose representatives are assembled here in this room. Regional peace, regional ques~ingthe inclusion in the agendao( ~he thirty-fifth point. My delegation fully supports the new revo- session.o,t the General Assembly of tllcfitem entitled litti\Snary Government of Kampuchea as the 'sole and "Question of peace, stability andeo-operation in legi,timaterepresentative ofthat long-suffering country. South-East Asia". ~ . 43:'1, The People's Revolutionary Council of Kampu- 36. We strongly believe that all ,p~sitive trends chea, which came into existence as a direct result towards the realization of these objectives deserve the of the dialectic developments in the struggle against support and encouragement of the I international the horrors of Pol Pot and his clique, is hence a community. For our part, therefore,' we shall do all Government that reflects the genuine wish of the we can to contribute to and enhance" the efforts of people of that country. the countries of ~he region of South-Bast Asia, to 44. It follows from this that this Revolutionary Coun- achieve their lofty objectives of peace, stability and cil can solicit and expect assistance and aid in what- regional co-operation. ' ever form it deems necessary in order to do away 37. The principles and conditions on which peace with the remnants of Pol Pot and his clique and to and co-operation willbe built in any given region cannot consolidate its newly gained freedom. be imposed from outside. They 'should be initiated 45. The South-East Asian people have suffered from within the region. and the political will to carry economic dislocation, social disruption and human them through must also be generated, 'first and fore- tragedy that few other countries in the world have most, within that region. Only then Can a just and experienced. We therefore urge the world community lasting regional peace prevail and our common aspira- and donor agencies to increase the humanitarian relief tions for universal detente, co-operation, genuine assistance they have been providing to Kampuchea peace and human progress be assured. and to othercountries in the region without prejudice 38. We know from our own experience in Africa to the right of the peoples to chart their own political that regional peace, stability and co-operation require future. a sense of fraternity, understanding, time and a 46. The Ethiopian delegation, as a sponsor of the sustained effort by those directly concerned, as well item under discussion, commends the peaceful ini- as the encouragement and support of the international tiative of the three South-East Asian countries for community at large. Outside intervention will only peace, stability and co-operation in the region. serve to undermine the process of regional eo-opera- 47. We are convinced that the consolidation of tion. Therefore, what the international community can peace and stability in the area is best served not by and must do is to give positive encouragement to the aggravation of tension but by seeking positive this process. . ways to bring accord and understanding. It was in that 39. It is in this spirit that I asked to speak this morning spirit that we welcomed the initiative of the Socialist to express Ethiopia's full support for and solidarity Republic of Viet Nam, the Lao People's Democratic with those who are genuinely searching for peace in Republic and the People's Republic of Kampuchea Asia-a continent that like our own has for long at the Vientiane Conference on the normalization of suffered imperialist brutalities, occupation and the 'situation in South-East Asia. constant interventions. ,48. This peace formula, which was subsequently sub- 40. 'The peoples of South-East Asia have for far too mitted as an agenda item of this Assembly, carries long been victims of aggression and destabilization. practical and constructive proposals for peace and An entire generation of Indo-Chinese people yearned co-operation in this perennially troubled area of the for a life of peace but were not able to achieve it world. It is a challenge and indeed an opportunity because of foreign interference and intervention in that calls for the will of other countries of the region theirinternal affairs. Peace and stability is the minimum to'get together to discuss, negotiate and reach agree- these long'!'embattled Indo-Chinese people require to ment on how best to resolve common problems. lead their own independent lives, to feel secure within their national boundaries and to develop fruitful inter- 49. Mr. FLORIN (German Democratic Republic) St~teandregion~ co-operation, Yet they are blatantly (interpretation from Russian): On behalf of my delega- being denied this right,. even at this moment when a tion, I should like to express to the delegation of fresh breeze of hope and stability is prevailing in the Spain our profound condolences concerning yester- region.· day's tragic explosion in Ortuella, which caused so 41. The demise ofthe now defunct PolPot regime was many deaths, in particular of schoolchildren. one such factor. The Ethiopian delegation views that 50. Peace, stability and co-operation during the last genocidal regime as on a pat with the Fascist regimes three and ahalf decades have not been characteristic of 'South Africa and Hitler. Such a regime obviously of the situation in South-East Asia. On the contrary, provides neither moral nor legal justification for sup- that region is one of the most unstable in the world. port or respectability. The situation there has always been tense and ('1' use of force against the territorial integrity or polit- ical independence of any State. Does not this obliga- tion, which includes the duty to refrain from organizing irregular forces or armed bands for incursion into the territory of another State, correspond precisely to the needs of this region today? 57. The Declaration requires the settlement of inter- national dispu.es by peaceful means in a manner such as not to endanger international peace and security and justice. Does not this, in fact, reflect the yearnings 59. The Declaration views it as, a duty that States should co-operate with one another in accordance with the Charter. Would not the fulfilment of this duty be the best way ito find areas of common ground, within which it would be possible to achieve useful results in a spirit of co-operation, peace and friendship? 60. The Declaration, finally, stresses the principle of equal rights and self-determination ofpeoples and also that of the sovereign equality of States. Should not any proposal for overcoming existing problems in South-East Asia be based squarely on those principles if such a proposal claims to be reliable and construc- tive? 61. Entirely in the spirit ofthe active implementation of these principles of peaceful co-existence, the States of Indo-China, at the Conference of Foreign Ministers, held at Vientiane on 18 July last, put forward con- structive proposals to resolve through negotiation the problems which have arisen in South-East Asia. 62. In the statement which was issued following that conference, Laos, Kampuchea and Viet Nam reaf- firmed their desire "to promote durable relations of friendship and co-operation with the other South-East Asian coun- tries on the principles of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political system, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and solving disputes through peace- ful negotiations" [A/35/347-S/14071, and Corr.l, annex I]. 63. This position, based upon an awareness of responsibility, contains sufficient points of departure for negotiations in the interests of all concerned States even if views diverge in the evaluation of the factors behind the lack of stability in South-East Asia. 64. The representatives of the countries of ASEAN, in turn, in their joint discussions, set out the desires of their States for peace and detente in the region. But how can such peace come about if not through negotiations.. through agreement and through co- ordination among the major groups of States in this region of the earth? This is especially true of the border zone between the People's Republic of Karnpu- chea and Thailand. We have no doubt that the military provocations against Kampuchea, Viet Nam and Laos by the imperialist hegemonist circles are equally directed against their neighbours. Ultimately, who- ever makes an attempt to play the China card will end up with not a single trump in his hand. 65. The German Democratic Republic will support any idea which will lead to rapprochement between the peoples and Governments of South-East Asia and will bring them peace, stability and co-operation. We are guided in this also by the notion that general peace will be more stable if it can be built on firm foundations in all regions of the world. As a country 69. If we were to glance briefly backward into the deep recesses of the history of the countries of the area that is now known as South-East Asia, we would see that from time immemorial the region has received waves upon waves of early migration from Central Asia. In the course of centuries, the area became the cross-road of civilizations importing into its blood- stream varied cultures and traditions. In recent history, like most of. Africa and Latin America, the area was subjected to colonial domination by a number of colonial Powers. Only after the Second World War, the movement towards independence was really set in motion and gathered momentum. Today, with few exceptions, most of us are free and masters of our own respective land and destiny. 70. But the factors that caused that early migration, the multitude of influences and the colonization of the area by colonial Powers remain the same. South-East Asia, with its vast potential of natural resources and its extensive area, which is bigger than the size of Europe, astrides an important and strategic locality. 75. We know that by necessity the implementation of that Declaration is a time-consuming process of adjustments. It will have to contain two mutually complementary dimensions. We have therefore already established, first and foremost, guidelines for inter- State relations among countries of the region in order to ensure the norms in our interregional contacts and to promote mutual trust and confidence among us. These guidelines relate to: first, observance of the Charter of the United Nations, the Declaration on the Promotion of World Peace and Co-operation of the 1955 Bandung Conference, the ASEAN Declara- tion, signed at Bangkok on 8 August 1967 and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration of 1971; secondly, mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations within and outside the zone; thirdly, the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; fourthly, non- interference in the internal affairs of zone States; fifthly, refraining from inviting er giving consent to intervention by external Powers in the domestic or regional affairs of the zone States; sixthly, settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations; seventhly, renunciation of the threat or use of force in the conduct of internal relations; eightly, refraining from the use of armed forces for any purpose in the conduct of international relations, except for individ- ual or collective self-defence in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations; ninthly, abstention from involvement in any conflicts of Powers outside the zone or from enzering into any agreements which would be inconsistent with the objectives of the zone; tenthly, absence Cifforeign military bases on the terri- tories of zone States; eleventhly, prohibition of the use, storage, passage or testing of nuclear weapons and their components within the zone; twelfthly, the right to trade freely with any country or international agency, irrespective of differences in socio-political systems; thirteenthly, the right to receive aid freely for the purpose of strengthening national resilience, except when the aid is subject to conditions incon- sistent with the objectives of the zone; and four- teenthly, effective regional co-operation among the zone States. 76. We have also drawn up guidelines to govern the relations that extra-regional Powers should have with us. These are: first, respect the independence, sover- eignty, territorial integrity and neutrality of the zone States; secondly, respect the right of zone States to lead their national existence free from external inter- ference, subversion or coercion; thirdly, abstain from intervention in the domestic or regional affairs of the 78. We have, in the course of the years since the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, explained the concept of the zone of peace, freedom and neutrality to the international community. We are encouraged by the support and endorsement it has given to the concept. At the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non- Aligned Countries, held at Georgetown from 8 to 12 August 1972, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration was welcomed as a positive development and all States were called upon to respect its objectives. Additional support was, obtained the following year, when the Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Coun- tries, at their Fourth Conference, held at Algiers from 5 to 9 September 1973, endorsed the Declaration. The efforts of ASEAN countries in that respect received support also from the People's Republic of China and from India. In July 1979 Viet Nam expressed interest in entering into consultations with South-East Asian countries with a view to establishing South-East Asia as a zone of peace, independence. ~ieutrality, stability and prosperity. 79. It is clear that the question of peace and stability in the South-East Asian region has been engaging the' attention of my country, as well as that of the other members of ASEAN, for the last 10 years, for we are convinced that progress, development and mutual co-operation can come about only in conditions of peace. Malaysia, as a small developing country, is pursuing a vigorous policy of .economic development in order further to raise the living standards of its people. So are its other.ASEAN partners. To achieve that objective, we need peace not only in our own respective countries but also in all other countries in the region. We wish to see peaceful conditions return to Indo-China so that Viet Nam, Laos and Kamp.u- chea, which were ravaged by so many years of war, can reconstruct and rehabilitate their economy; so that their people, who suffered for so long, can enjoy 82. For those reasons, we are very glad and thankful that the world community, indraft resolution A/35/L.2, has once again endorsed our view and our perception. ,We have been given added encouragement in our conviction that the path we have taken for the region is the right and reasonable path. We regard this en- dorsement as recognition of our efforts and that a solution of the Kampuchean problem is a prerequisite for peace and stability in the whole of South-East Asia. We shall therefore never tire in appealing to Viet Nam, whose co-operation we really need and whose forces are currently in Kampuchea, to respect the call of the international community and to partic- ipate in the United Nations efforts to restore the peace and stability which we all need in South-East Asia. My delegation wishes to assure Viet Nam and Laos of 86. We should like therefore to address our appeal to them to exercise restraint, live up to their respon- sibility as major Powers and save regions such as South-East Asia from such conflicts. We have no means of resisting the might of modern weaponry. Our only defence is regional cohesiveness sufficiently effective to provide the necessary deterrence and prevent our getting involved. For such regional co- operation, we shall persevere.

In recent days my delega- tion has spoken on the' credentials of Democratic Kampuchea and on the situation in Kampuchea. In 94..The peoples of Indo-China, Viet Nam, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the People's Republic of Kampuchea, who have had to suffer an imperialist and aggressive war for the last four de- cades, who have suffered and made the greatest sacrifices in order to achieve their independence and freedom, and peace and stability-indispensable to the reconstruction of their war-ravaged countries and the realization of their aspiration to end the military confrontation among the countries of that region-are still being subjected to the attempts of the imperialists and their agents to prevent the States of Indo- China putting an end to the destruction caused by the aggressive imperialist war and to maintain the tension and the regional wars in Indo-China and South-East Asia, thereby impeding the efforts of the peoples of that region to make it into a zone of peace, stability and co-operation. The most flagrant evidence of this is the fact that the legitimate Government ofthe People's Republic of Kampuchea has been deprived of its rightful place in the United Nations and the repre- sentatives (",f Pol Pot, who were driven out by the people and represent only themselves and imperialist interests, have been seated. Another proof is the stubborn insistence on discussing the so-called "situa- tion in Kampuchea" without the approval of the People's Revolutionary Council, which is the only legitimate representative ofthe people ofKampuchea. 95. The situation ID South-East Asia is extremely complex. It is made even more complex by foreign interference in the region. This situation makes it necessary that States of the region jointly assume their responsibilities in order to put an end to the deterioration of the situation. The common interests of all States in the region including that of peace and stability, demand that those States, despite their differences, enter into negotiations in order to end the present state ofconfrontation. Ofcourse, such negotia- tions are impossible until all activity that could lead to a deterioration of the situation has ceased and the prerequisites for a prompt settlement ofthe differences existing in the region have been established. 96. Furthermore, foreign intervention must be halted and an effort must be made to create a zone of peace, stability and co-operation in South-East Asia. To that end, there must be increased mutual understanding and respect for the interests of the countries of Indo- China on the one hand and the other countries of South-East Asia on the other. There must be respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State, as well as for the principle of non-aggression and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States. Mutual respect, co-operation and peaceful coexistence on a basis of equality must be ensured. There must also bebilateral or multilateral 102. During the course of the past few days, this Assembly has already considered the question of 103. It is a weil-known fact that before 1979 the countries of South-East Asia were progressing satis- factorily towards a new era of good-neighbourly rela- tions and friendly co-operation. The chronology of events circulate." by the Vietnamese delegation yester- day shows that, throughout 1978, a great deal of progress was achieved in this respect, for which both sides can claim credit. The mood then was one of optimism, which was unfortunately short-lived. Shortly thereafter, and, despite the assurances to the contrary given to other South-East Asia Govern- ments, Viet Nam decided to impose its willon Kampu- chea by means of a massive invasion and military occupation of that South-East Asian country. The chronology of events since the so-called liberation of Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979 indicates a sudden downward trend in the affairs of the region, as well as an unmistakable increase in the involvement of outside Powers in regional affairs. No subterfuge can conceal this fact from the world, and no attempt to foment troubles in other parts of the region-be it _along the Thai-Kampuchean or the Thai-Lao border- will succeed in diverting world attention from the real cause of tension and conflict in South-East Asia. 104. It is the view of my delegation, a view shared by many countries of the region, that we can all return to the path of peace, stability and co-operation the moment the violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations Charter is terminated. While consultations and talks have taken place between the States of the region, fruitful negotiations can only come about if all parties strictly adhere to such prin- ciples and work in good faith towards establishing a climate of confidence in that region. The best way to proceed is to move the conflict to the conference table and not to accept any so-called solution which is imposed by military force. Meanwhile, any with- drawal of the occupying forces in Kampuchea would be welcome, but it should take place without pre- condition or prevarication. IOS. With the memory of the 23 and 24 June armed incursion into Thailand by the Vietnamese forces in Kampuchea vividly in our minds, a renunciation of the threat or use of force by those who have acted in contravention of Charter principles could only help to build the climate of confidence which is essential to peaceful progress in the region. Despite such border violations by the occupying forces in Kampu- chea, there is no so-called undeclared war in which Thailand is involved. If there is any "undeclared war", it is taking place inside Kampuchea itself, and is the prolongation of the foreign invasion and occupation of that unfortunate country. 109. Yesterday the Czechoslovak representative tried to mislead the Assembly by making unfounded allegations against Thailand, particularly on the issue of humanitarian relief to the Kampuchean people. In this regard, my delegation has already drawn the Assembly's attention to the note by the Secretary- General contained in document A/35/502, dated 16 October 1980, which adequately demonstrates that Thailand has co-operated closely with the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations in facil- itating, without discrimination, the provision and transport of assistance both to the border and via Phnom Penh and Kompong Som. This fact is also acknowledged by the International Committee of the Red Cross in its fifty-second report, dated 15 Octo- ber 1980, which reads: .,... 13 October marks the first anniversary of the Red Cross relief flight to Phnom Penh. During the past year, a total of 714 flights has been made, of which 152 left from Singapore and 562 from Bang- kok. These flights uplifted 13,716 tons of relief supplies, representing an estimated total value of $13 million." On the other hand, it is the occupying forces which have sought to utilize international relief for their military and political ends. It is they who have bene- fited from those supplies at the expense of many Kampuchean civilians. 110, For its part, the Thai Government has proposed the establishment of safe areas inside Kampuchea to ensure the safety of refugees and the distribution of international aid to Kampuchean civilians. This proposal has now been endorsed by the General Assemblywhichprovides adequate proof ofThailand's good faith and of international support of the idea. It is therefore up to those who have rejected' this proposal to convince the international community of their own good faith and good intentions. Ill. Thailand is not a party to the conflict in Kampu- chea. The Kampuchean problem is not fhailand's doing; but, nevertheless, Thailand has been adversely affected by the massive influxofKampuchean refugees 115. Those two resolutions clearly stress that for the past two years peace and stability in South-East Asia have been destroyed by the invasion and occupation of Kampuchea by Vietnamese forces and that only the total withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Kam- puchea will make it possible to restore peace and stability in South-East Asia and on that basis establish amongthe countries ofthat regionfruitfulco-operation based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocal interest. 116. In April 1975 all the peoples and countries of the South-East Asian region began to have a glimmer of a legitimate hope that they would be able finally 117. Unfortunately, this dream did not last very long. From the beginning of June 1975 Vietnamese forces invaded and occupied Koh Wai island and refused totally to withdraw from the vast sanctuaries occupied since 1965 within Kampuchean territory. Since that time the Hanoi authorities have made every effort to overthrow the legal and legitimate Government of Democratic Kampuchea and to replace it by a puppet regime which would agree to Kampuchea's assimila- tion into the Vietnamese "Indo-Chinese Federation", without arousing world attention, as they managed to do with Laos through the so-called "treaty of friend- ship and co-operation" of 18 July 1977. In order to achieve this objective, of the Vietnamese "Indo- Chinese Federation" laid down in 1930 by the Indo- Chinese Communist Party, which was the name of the Vietnamese Communist Party at that time, the Hanoi authorities have used a combination of military pro- vocation on the border and obstinate refusal to with- draw their forces from the territory of Kampuchea, together with acts of subversion, wrecking and sabotage, attempts at assassination of the leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and coups d'etat. The Viet- namese invasion ofDemocratic Kampuchea in Decem- ber 1977; which was defeated on 6 January 1978, and the present Vietnamese invasion begun on 25 Decem- ber 1978 are merely the result of successive failures of all these acts ofdestabilizauon perpetrated by the Hanoi authorities in order to overthrow the Govern- ment of Democratic Kampuchea. Document A/35/485- S/14194 of 25 September 1980gives further details of this ~'half-century of Hanoi's expansionist and an- nexationist designs". 118. The brief background I have just given shows how tenacious the Hanoi authorities are in pursuing their strategy of an "Indo-Chinese Federation" which is to serve them as a jumping-off point for regional expansion over the whole ofSouth-East Asia. It shows that the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea is the only real deep-lying cause of the present explosive situation in South-East Asia, where there is no longer either peace or stability and where co-operation is no longer possible. It is this ambition of the Viet- namese leaders which prevents the countries of the region. from establishing a region of peace, freedom and neutrality. Hanoi's expansionist ambition in the region is condemned by all tile peoples and countries that love peace and justice among the Members of the world Organization. This war clear from the debates in the Security Council in January, February and March of 1979 and at the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, and during this session. Debates about the credentials of the Democratic Kampuchean delegation to the United Nations and about the situa- 123.' Thirdly, it is clear to everyone that the Hanoi authorities cannot and will never be able to achieve their regional expansionist ambition without. .the a~ti~e and powerful assistance from ~ large expan- SIOnlSt world Power. In Karnpuchea It is a fact of public notoriety that the forces of Viet Nam cannot pursue their occupation of the country or continue their crimes against the people of Karnpuchea without enormous assistance from that large expansionist Power, amounting to more than $3 million a day. 124. In exchange for this total support from the large expansionist Power for their "Indo-Chinese Federa- tion':' the Hanoi authorities will pay any price. If previously we could have had a few illusions about the terms of this exchange, today there is no further doubt, particularly since Viet Nam joined the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance in June 1978 and since the signing on 3 November 1978 of the military Soviet- Vietnamese treaty, known as the "Treaty of Friend- ship and Co-operation", which in fact marks the entry of Viet Nam into the Warsaw Treaty. Furthermore, the opening of all Vietnamese military bases, both naval and air bases, including Da Nang and Cam Ranh, to the large expansionist Power merely confirms Viet Nam's total dependency on that Power and the indissoluble link between Vietnamese regional expan- sionism and world expansionism. 125. Finally, when Vietnamese forces were power- fully maintained and supplied with advisers and equip- ment by the large expansionist Power, and when they invaded Democratic Kampuchea, some people thought that it was a bilateral conflict between two neigh- bouring countries, without regional or world implica- tions. It took the invasion of Afghanistan on identical pretexts and in rather similar circumstances, for people to understand the indissoluble links between regional expansionism and global expansionism, together with the danger ofthis expansionist strategy in all its range. 1~6.. But in their thrust in.South-East Asia the expan- siomsts are at present commg up against an immovable obstacle: the resolute struggle of the people of Kampu- chea under the leadership of the Patriotic and Demo- cratic Front of Great National Union of Kampuchea and of the Government of Democratic Kampuchea, which are determined to defend the survival of the nation and people of Kampuchea, their national identity, their right to existence as an independent, sovereign, neutral and non-aligned State and their right freely to determine their own future. This struggle, then, is a key link in the international front against expansionism in the defence of world peace. 127. The expansionists are meeting with the growing opposition of the peoples of Viet Namand Laos as well, for in those countries living conditions are deterioratingday by day and, despite the intensification of repression, armed resistance is being organized and is growing and dissension within the ruling cliques is increasing. They are also meeting with the determina- tion of all the peoples and countries of South-East 128. Some wonder why the Vietnamese zional expansionists have carried their cynicism to tr".~ »oint of having included in the agenda of our Assembly the item entitled "Question of peace, stability and co- operation in South-East Asia", when they are perfectly aware that it is they that by their invasion of Kampu- chea have destroyed peace and stability and are preventing any co-operation in the region. The answer is simple: they have done this to try to escape from the military and political deadlock in Kampuchea and also from almost total isolation at the iusemational level. What the Hanoi authorities are looking for is a South-East Asian Munich and de facto international reco~nition of the fait accompli: that is, the absorption by Viet Nam of Kampuchea and the establishment of Viet Nam's "Indo-Chinese Federation" which would give them the respite needed to co~solidate their forces with a view to a fresh thrust in the region at the right time. 12~. In his statement of 15 October [36th meeting] the representative of the Vietnamese expansionists did not hesitate to threaten to extend the Vietnamese war of expansion throughout the region, with all the c.ons~quences, cu!minating in a third world conflagra- tion, If the countries of South-East Asia and the other countries of the world were not willing to accept the Vietnamese fait accomp" in Kampuchea, That statement is valuable in that i . shows that the Hanoi authorities remain the most fervent advocates of the law of the jungle and that they continue to show the greatest contempt for the international community ~nd.for all countries and peoples that love peace and Justice. 130. The inclusion in the agenda of item 119 is only one of the maneeuvres of confusion and diversion the aim of which is: first, to make obsolete General Assembly resolution 34/22, which calls upon Viet Nam immediately to halt its war of aggression against Kampuchea, to withdraw all its armed forces from Kampuchea and to leave the people of Kampuchea to decide for itself its own future without any foreign interference; secondly, to neutralize General Assembly resolution 35/6, which reaffirms the need for Viet Nam to implement resolution 34/22 and which was adopted on 22 October by an overwhelming majority of 97 in favour to 23 against; thirdly, to secure acceptance of the Vietnamese fait accompli in Kampuchea and to get the war of aggression legalized by the United Nations, which would mean the United Nations violating its own Charter, of which it is the guarantor, for which there is no precedent in the history of our Organization; fourthly, to get the United Nations also to recognize the existence of Viet Nam's so-called 139. Further, we note with satisfaction and, indeed, welcome the first steps taken in this direction which have recently made it possible for contacts to be made between the parties concerned under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 140. I have already mentioned that in the quest for solutions to the South-East Asian problems differences of approach and assessment can be observed. In this respect, we listened with interest to the statement made yesterday by the representative of Viet Nam [44th meeting], the substance of which clearly demonstrated the sincere desire of that country to resolve the problems which affect the region in conjunction with, the other States of that region. We have also noted the document distributed by the delega- tion of Viet Nam, which contains a history of the events in South-East Asia and the different con- structive proposals made by the countries of Indo- China in order to settle the problems in the region. If further emerges from the Vietnamese statement yesterday that there are no illusions on any side as to a rapid settlement of those issues. Such a solution would above all presuppose the cessation of foreign interference in the affairs of the region on the part of certain Powers in the continent and overseas, which would leave the way free for 'a better understanding of the situation and a reasonable assessment of the interests of all concerned. 141. The proposals made to that end by the three countries of Indo-China at Vientiane have, so far at least, met with no favourable reply and have not !43. It WOUJd be unreasonable to suppose that after so many years of struggle and suffering, the countries in the South-East Asian region do not aspire to peace and tranquillity. Differences of views, difficulties and the long way we still have to go should in no way discourage us from making the sustained effort needed to foster progress .owards these objectives, which are shared by the international community. 144. We are in favour of greater dialogue, negotia- tions, more extensive contacts among the countries in that part of the world, the wider manifestation of greater political will to strengthen the ties among countries and peoples which everything-culture, history, geography and vital interests-binds closer, condemning them to live together and to understand one another. This should represent a first step towards an atmosphere of trust and the establishment of a zone of peace in the region. 145. The task of other States, small or large, close.or distant, would consist not in hampering but, on the contrary, in fostering this process and in making their contributions so that the international community might finally be rid of tensions and crises, threats of intervention and interference and the use of force and devastating wars, of which this region has more than once been the bloody theatre. As for our international Organization, it should support this process of peace by the means and methods appropriate to it and, with the agreement of all, assist the parties concerned to find a common language and grounds for understanding and to create the conditions for harmonious coexis- tence in the interest not only of their own peoples but also of the whole world. 146. For my delegation it therefore follows that we must stress speciflcally what unites us and not what divides us. We need a point of departure from which to look ahead and try to indicate a way out of the confused situation in which the region of South-East Asia is involved, which, without seeking futile con- frontation, would emphasize the need to explore everything that the approaches, attitude and concepts of the countries in the region have in common, in order to be able to go forward. These elements could, to our mind, form the basis for a dynamic history did South-East Asia experience the destruc- tion of its political system, the devastation of its economy, the burning of its landscape, the massacre of its peoples, the defoliation of its forests, the poison- ing of its rivers, the bombing of its' temples, the wasting of its earth-all of which were visited upon the area when Western colonialism and imperialism made a foray and decided to stay. 148. The peoples of South-East Asia have fought a long and arduous battle against the imperialist invaders and their local lackeys. But the decisive brow to imperialism was struck by the heroic and valiant people of Viet Nam, who sacrificed generations of sons and daughters to drive the imperialists from their land and to reclaim their undivided heritage and sovereignty. There is an entire generation ofyoungsters with napalmed bodies; there are vast tracts of land pockmarked with craters and rendered uncultivatable. The war imposed upon the people of Viet Nam stole the irreplaceable youth of many generations. But it forged them in steel and produced a fighting sword- an entire nation welded into a single force to fight imperialism and to reconstruct their war-damaged country in conformity with revolutionary principles of justice and socialism. 149. Unfortunately, Viet Nam was not the only country to suffer the tribulations of an imperialist presence. Neighbouring countries were forced into the fray to serve imperialist ends. The economy ofKampu- chea was destroyed, its centuries-old irrigation system was bombed. and the way was paved for the Fascist Pol Pot-Ieng Sary clique to take over. Although Western imperialist forces did not like the clique-as they now aver-they tolerated it. But when the people of Kampuchea-those who witnessed the genocide, the forced and brutal depopulation of the urban cen- tres, the imprisonment of hundreds of thousands- could tolerate the situation no longer, under the guidance of the People's Revolutionary Council, led by Comrade Heng Samrin, they overthrew the Pol Pot clique, Today, the legitimate Government of Kampuchea is being harassed by the same forces of imperialism that have prevented the establishment of stability and co-operation in South-East Asia. Their support for the Pol Pot clique is a clear indication of their own stand on human rights, and an indictment of the very system they espouse. Neither murder nor thejudgement imposed in relation to it can be selective. 150. Peace, stability and co-operation in South-East Asia are vital for international peace and security. It is unfortunate that war cannot be contained. It is equally unfortunate that peace is not contagious. That being the state of affairs, it is therefore imperative that the nations ef the third world, whether in South-East Wor~ers' Party, supports all genuine initiatives for regionalpeace, stability and co-operation, in whatever part of the third world. 154. Until final victory, a luta continua. l Movimento Popular de Liberta~io de Angola.