A/36/PV.38 General Assembly

It is not with gladness of heart that my delegation is speaking again this year at ~his rostrum to denounce the partial and illegal nature of the debate on the so-called situation in Kampuchea whic;h the General Assembly began yesterday following, as was the case in the two preceding years, the skHfully hatched ma- noeuvres ceaselessly repeated by some of its members, with the enCOl.'lagc;ilent -and active support of two great Powers. I refer to China and the United States, which pursue, similar goals in South-East Asia, in order to pit the members of the Association of South-East Asian Na- tions [ASEAN] against the group of Indo-Chinese coun- tries, to achieve as far as' China is concerned, its long- term hegemonistic and expansionist designs in all the countries of the region, and to preserve as far as the United States is concerned its former influence, which has been decreasing in that part of the world since the resounding defeat of its military adventure ~n Indo-China in 1975. 2. Together with the grim designs of those two major Powers, the ultimate objective of all these instigators, principals and auxiliaries alike, in maintaining the item entitled "the situation in Kampuchea" on the agenda of the present session of the General Assembly is to interfere cynically in the internal affairs of· the people of Kampu- chea and oppose the rebirth of that people, as well as to deprive the P~ople's Republic of Kampuchea of its right- ful place in the Organization, for the benefit of a genoci- dal band which the entire world has definitively con- demned. 3. That, in truth, is the real significance of the present consideration of the so~called situation in Kampl}chea. 4. It should also be noted that never before in the his- tory of the Organization, which has just in honour and dignity passed the milestone of its 36 years of existence. has such open and clear-cut interference in the internal affairs of a Member State of the kind we are now witness- ing been committed by the United Nations under any pre- text whatsoever. The maintenance for three years now of the so-called question of the situation in Kampuchea on the agenda of the General Assembly and the present dis- cussion of this question in this important forum in de- NEW YORK fiance of the forceful opposition of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, which is the sole legal and legitimate Government of the Kampuchean people and the true mas- ter of the country, is not only a truly singular phe- nomenon but also extremely dangerous for peaceful coex- istence among peoples. 5. For all those reasons, my delegation wishes clearly to affirm its sharp protest and deep indignation concerning the decadent and pernicious exercise into which some members of the Assembly have very cynically drawn the United Nations. We hope that, in the interest of this body as well as in the interest of peace and stability in South- East Asia and throughout the world, this exercise will come to an end at this session and that the General As- sembly will in future devote all its valu1ble material and moral resources to the consideration of the urgent con- crete questions facing the world which really do involve the self-determination of peoples, international peace and security and the economic and social development of third-world countries. 6. .-\fter all, we all know full well that a just solution cannot be found te a false problem or a problem ar- tificially created. The so-called problem of Kampuchea is clearly in that category of invention. 7. For three years now it has been loudly proclaimed to one and all that the so-called situation in Kampuchea con- stitutes a grave threat to the peace and security of neigh- bouring countries, especially those of ASEAN and partic- ularly Thailand. But three years have elapsed and the whole world knows that the peace and security of Kampu- chea's neighbours and in particular the peace and security of Thailand, have never oncp been threatened or disturbed by Kampuchea; on the contrary, they have been threat- ened by attempted coups d'etat within Thailand by its own h:igher officials and generals, the most recent of which "occurred last April. 8. Moreover, the peace and security of Thailand and those of the other ASEAN countries are really threat- ened-as all the leaders of these countries know full well-by the undermining and subversive activities of pseudo-revolutionary groups of a Maoist bent operating within the borders of these countries with the help and unfailing support of China. To minimize that threat or at- tempt to blame others for shameful designs or ulterior considerations would be to allow ourselves to be drawn into the machiavellian manoeuvres of the Beijing hegemo- nists. whose talents for subversion are equalled only by their expansionist thirst. 9. As an immediate neighbour of the People's Republic of Kampuchea my country is just as interested and con- cerned as. if not more so than, most of the ASEAN coun- tries by what happens in Kampuchea. ,'; But what has happened in Kampuchea that has caused or. more precisely. justified the international com- munity's agitating for three years now against the Kam- 11. This type of military assistance by one country to a brother people victim of the policy of genocide practised on a large scale by tyrannical leaders is not unique to the peoples of Indo-China; the history of the past 30 years has shmvn that it was given also by other countries and other peoples at other times and in other parts of the world, including some who for three years have shame- lessly joined their voices to those of the countries which, for well-calculated political designs, continue to raise a hue and cry concerning the invasion of Kampuchea by Viet N'~ '11 and clamour for the right to self-determination for th... people of Kampuchea, while some of them obstinately persist in denying that same right to cer,.~;n peoples and Territories which they have subjugated ak~:..i conquered by forc~ 12. It suffices to look at the list of participants in the recent so-called International Conference on Kampuchea, about which there has been and continues to be a great deal of publicity, and at the list of sponsors of draft reso- lution N36/L.3/Rev.l to become aware of the well- founded nature.l the statements I- have just made. Among those !\p'Jllsors-and titis is the height of irony- we see the nam.~!; of certain countries whose Govern- ments have acceded to or been maintained in power thanks to the bayonets of foreign forces and, worse still, thanks to the help of mercenaries. 13. Therefore. this draft resolution, on which I shall have an opportunity to speak at a later stage, is for us totally unacceptable because of the legal and moral cred- ibility of some of its sponsors, not to mention other con- siderations. 14. In any event, I wish to return to the so-called situa- tion in Kampuchea, which is of interr ~ to many of us. Having overthrown its executioners and swept away all the agents of genocide from the capital and the rest of the country, the people of Kampuchea founded the People's Republic of Kampuchea, which has resolutely opted for a foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and non-alignment. Subsequently it has affirmed on many oc- casions its determination to establish relations of good- neighbourliness and co-operation with all the countries of' the region on the basis of strict respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-in- terference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, equality and mutual advantage. 15. This policy, which is in keeping with the Charter and with the purposes and principles of the non-aligned movement, has been purliued unswervingly by the Peo- ple's Republic of Kampuchea since its inception, wh"ich has given growing international support, and now more 16. On the domestic level, having barely escaped final extermination, the heroic people of Kampuchea, although greatly weakened by four years of genocide, courageously set to work to bind its wounds and to build a new society. Thanks mainly to its own efforts and the various kinds of assistance of fraternal socialist countries. other friendly countries and international organizations. the people of Kampuchea has made remarkable progress in all fields. It has, especially at the economic and social levels, in spite of the vast difficulties left by the long and devastating war of aggression and above all the genocidal regime, achieved satisfactory results in developing agricultural production, as a result of the increase in cultivated land from 800,000 hectares in 1979, which is forecast at 1,800,000 hectares for this year. 17. During the past three years the valiant people of Kampuchea has also set in motion many industrial enter- prises, restored all channels of communication and re- opened and established schools, universities, hospitals and sanitary services throughout the country. It has. moreover, reopened its markets and circulated currency, which has contributed to the progressive normalization and improvement of its own living standards at a time of outstanding progress in science and technology. 18. As regards the poliQical and security levels, together with operations to clean up the Pol Pot debris. in May last, in the presence of many international news media correspondents, the people of Kampuchea conducted the first general democratic elections throughout the country, following which State institutions were set up, including the National Assembly, the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. 19. In view of those accomplishments it is clear that un- der the banner of the People's Republic of Kampuchea the situation in Kampuchea is being normalized and strength- ened constantly at the economic, social and political lev- els alike. In these circumstances we cannot understand why some among us here, to the detriment of the realism and logic that should characterize the mature spirit of the representatives in the General Assembly, persist in in- venting "the Kampuchean problem", a problem that ex- ists only in this Hall and in the capitals of some neigh- bouring countries, where there are feverish activities of subversion and open interference in the internal affairs of the people of Kampuchea.· Eloquent testimony to that was provided by the recent summit meeting of the traitors Khieu Samphan, Son Sann and Sihanouk-which was. as may be seen from the statement by the Ministry of For- eign Affairs of the People's Republic of Kampuchea dated 16 October 1981 [see A/36/609), a meeting organized by the Government of Singapore which took place in the capital.of that country-and the fruitless negotiations now taking place, as a result of that ignominious gathering. in Bangkok between the representatives of the three factions with the aim of establishing a so-called coalition Govern- ment opposed to the People's Republic of Kampuchea. 20. I ask all the representatives here whether those ac- tivities are not flagrant violations of the Charter and the basic norms of international law. I invite all those who hold dear respect for the time-honoured principles govern- ing relations among States to give this matter serious thought. 22. In this connection I should like to ask them the fol- lowing questions. How many faits accomplis have they seen in international relations since the creation of the United Nations? Have they never seen a case such as that of Kampuchea in other parts of the world, at other times? In asking these questions I am not trying to encourage faits accomplis; I do not want to give that impression. That is why I want clearly to state that my country con- demns all-I stress "all"-faits accomplis wherever they may occur. Accordingly, we have firmly condemned the faits accomplis brought about by the South African racist regime within the framework of its contemptible policy of bantustanization in southern Africa and in the promotion of an internal settlement in Namibia. We have also ener- getically condemned the faits accomplis brought about by Israel in its policy of settlements in the occupied Arab territories. In the face of all these faits accomplis we have noted with great regret that the positions of some coun- tries that today speak eloquently about a so-called fait ac- compli in Kampuchea are in complete contradiction of what they practise. We are swimming in a great sea of stagnant hypocrisy. For the some 30 sovereign States that have recognized the People's Republic of Kampuchea, what took place on 7 January 1979 in Kampuchea was well accomplished, a good fait accompli, since it made it possible for the people of Kampuchea to escape genocide. 23. For some 48 hours now the entire General Assem- bly, or at any rate my delegation, has been drowning in crocodile tears shed over the fate of the people of Kampu- chea, which does not need this false compassion. 24. As was clearly stressed by the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, Mr. Hun Sen, in his telegram dated 13 October to the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, "there is no 'Kam- puchean problem' and consequently no 'global political solution' to be found to it" [see A/36/596]. 25. In the light of that categorical statement on the part of one of the highest officials of Kampuchea, it would be highly desirable, and consistent with the Charter, for the General Assembly to cease to discuss this question, which has been artificially created by some among us in order to place obstacles in the path <>:: the rebirth of the Kampuchean people and to exacerbate tension in South- East Asia. 26. In order to reduce that tension and to restore peace and stability to the region, which would benefit all coun- tries within it, the three countries of Indo-China, at con- ferences of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the three countries held in Ho Chi Minh City and in Phnom Penh in January and June of this year, proposed the convening of a regional conference that would include the members of ASEAN and the countries of Indo-China, with the par- ticipation with observer status, of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his own personal capacity, and rep- resentatives of a few other countries to be designated by agreement [see A/36/86 and A/36/328]. It would be that conference's task to find solutions to all the problems of common concern to the two groups of countries. 28. It is regrettable that the reasonable and coherent pro- posals of the three countries of Indo-China have been.re- jected by the ASEAN countries, which have deliberately opted for the internationalization of the question of South- East Asia, thus playing Beijing's game of acting in close collusion with our former aggressor, the United States of America. 29. Thus, last July, although it was known in advance that the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the three countries directly interested and con- cerned, would not participate in the so-called International Conference on Kampuchea convened pursuant to General Assembly resolution 35/6, which they had opposed, a great deal of pressure was exercised in order to convene that lamentable Conference. It goes without saying that the three countries of Indo-China have rejected and con- demned that Conference and the results of its work as in- admissible interference in the internal affairs of the people of Kampuchea. It would be useless to hope to persuade by one means or another the three countries of Indo- China to associate themselves with those illegal and con- demnable acts. 30. Therefore the results of that Conference, in which the ASEAN countries, contrary to their expectations, only played a humiliating, not to say derisory, auxiliary role, are nothing but the implementation of the diktat of Beij- ing concerning the three peoples of Indo-China, in partic- ular the people of Kampuchea, for whose right to self- determination some claim to be fighting. The application of the decisions of that Conference could only promote the return to power of Pol Pot's bloody gang, which would undoubtedly then complete its brusquely inter- rupted policy of genocide. 31 . We can see from the present de~ate that there is another problem of concern to many members of the in- ternational community, that is, the question of the pres- ence of Vietnamese troops in Kampuchea. I shall not dwell on the reasons for their arrival in the country, which has been the subject of different interpretations in this Hall during the last three years. I do not think that a new elaboration of arguments in that respect on one side or the other would help matters forward. 32. However, I should like to recall to the members of the Assembly that in order to resolve this problem the Foreign Ministers of the three countries of Indo-China, during their conference in Vientiane in July 1980,1 pro- posed that a demilitarized zone be set up, under adequate international control, on the Kampuchea-Thailand border, following which Viet Nam and Kampuchea would en- visage a partial withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from 33. In the same context, Mr. Hun Sen, the Vice-Presi- dent of the Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, also clearly reiterated in the course of his recent visit to New Delhi that: .. the Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea will, in agreement with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, consider the partial withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Kampuchea if Thailand ceases to support and help the Pol Pot clique and the other small reactionary groups in their activities aimed at undermining the People's Republic of Kam- puchea and to give such groups sanctuary on its terri- tory" . 34. As a result of all this we can ask whether the ten- sion which now prevails in South-East Asia resides in the so-called situation in Kampuchea or in the interference in the internal affairs of Kampuchea by some ASEAN coun- . tries which are helping the criminal Pol Pot band and other reactionary cliques, armed to the teeth by Beijing with the collusion of the United States-which has caused an exodus of refugees-to provoke trouble in the Thailand-Kampuchea border zone. Impartial people will give a correct reply to that question. Those who, while fanning the flames, state that they want to fight the fire will sooner or later be hoist with their own petard. 35. Those are the true dimensions of the so-called situa- tion in Kampuchea. If the United Nations in general and the General Assembly in particular want to contribute to the search for solutions to all problems of concern to the international community that involve South-East Asia, efforts must be made not to exacerbate tension in relations between the ASEAN countries and the countries of Indo- China, but rather to help to bring their positions closer together without any party, with external ~upport, impos- ing its will on another. 36. We hope that the General Assembly, in the interest of the dynamics of peace and the direct negotiations, free of foreign interference, begun by the three countries of Indo-China, will make its contribution to the restoration of peace, stability and friendship in South-East Asia.

A year has passed since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on the situation in Kampuchea at its thirty-fifth session. The Secretary-General has submitted a report on the implementation of resolution 35/6 [A/36/583]. Before us is a draft resolution on the situation in Kampuchea tabled by the countries members of ASEAN and other countries at the current session [A/36/L.3/Rev.l]. This, in our view, is another effort on their part to uphold the Charter and the norms of international relations and to maintain peace in South-East Asia and the world. 38. During the past year the people of Kampuchea have achieved new successes in their struggle against Viet Nam's aggression. Their strength has continued to grow and the various patriotic factions are making headway to- wards a coalition. 39. The Kampuchean people have had to fight against great odds, but their valiant struggle has' gained them new 40. Meantime, the policies and programme of the Gov- ernment of Democratic Kampuchea and the Patriotic Front of Great National Union of Kampuchea have won the in- creasing support of the Kampuchean people. The various patriotic Kampuchean factions are moving towards a coalition in 'the interest of strengthening the struggle against the Vietnamese aggressors. The joint statement of the leaders of the three patriotic factions following their lecent meeting in Singapore demonstrates the Kam- pucliean people's determination to close their ranks and carry through to the end the struggle against the ag- gressors. The Ad Hoc Committee of the three Kam- puchean factions now meeting in Bangkok is striving to form a coalition against Vietnamese aggression. We are convinced that such a coalition will greatly strengthen the patriotic forces and give a powerful impetus to their strug- gle so that the situation will continue to develop in a di- rection favourable to the people of Kampuchea. 41. The Kampuchean people's struggle against the ag- gressors is a just cause enjoying the sympathy and sup- port of all nations that uphold justice and cherish peace. It has frustrated the wild ambition of Viet Nam to annex Kampuchea and to establish hegemony ove!' South-East Asia. Moreover, it has blocked Soviet expansion in South- East Asia as a part of its quest for world hegemony. Therefore, the Kampuchean people are fighting not only for their own national survival, but also for the mainte- nance of peace in South-East Asia and the world. 42. However, the aggressors never give up easily. Viet Nam is determined to continue its occupation of Kampu- chea at all costs. It is resorting to all kinds of pretexts and lies in order to cover up its crime of aggression, to re- main in Kampuchea and to extricate itself from its present difficulties. You will all recall that the justification used by Viet Nam at the beginning of its invasion of Kampu- chea was that it did not like the policies of the Govern- ment of Democratic Kampuchea. That is totally absurd. If this argument is accepted, can there be any security for smaller and weaker nations with a bigger and stronger neighbour? Later, Viet Nam claimed that it had invaded .Kampuchea at the "invitation" of a so-caned Government there. In point of fact, the Government of Democratic Kampuchea was the legitimate Government when Viet Nam launched the invasion, and the purpose of the inva- sion was precisely to overthrow this legitimate Govern- ment. All this happened before the invaders had the time to install a puppet regime. Thus, it is simply impossible for Viet Nam to justify its aggression on the ground that it was "invited" to come in. 43. Such fabrications have been roundly refuted by rep- resentatives at previous sessions of the General Assembly. Viet Nam took great pains to stage an "election" farce in Phnom Penh earlier this year, hoping to give a semplance of legality to the Heng Sarnrin regime. Then it started to 44. Viet Nam's claim that it invaded Kampuchea be- cause of a "threat from China" or because of its disputes with China is another lie. It tries to present itself as a weak, small nation bullied by a big Power to the north and wants people to believe that it was left with no alter- native but to invade Kampuchea. This is sheer nonsense and utterly false. The Vietnamese authorities seeemingly became carried away by the victory in unifying their na- tion with the support of the people of the world. One Hanoi leader at that time brazenly boasted that Viet Nam was already the "No. 3 military Power" on earth. Hanoi thought that the time had come to establish an "Indo- Chinese Federation" by force. 45. The Vietnamese authorities were further emboldened by the full backing of the Soviet Union. It is worth pon- dering that after the treat) of "friendship and co-opera- tion" with the Soviet Uni()n was hastily signed, they lost no time in launching a r.lassive invasion of Kampuchea. That was by no means a coincidence. The so-called threat from China was fabricated by Viet Nam when its invasion of Kampuchea met with universal condemnation. China is to the north. If Viet Nam really felt a threat from China, why then should it invade a much weaker neighbour to the south? And why should it adamantly refuse to join China and others to guarantee the independence and the neutral and non-aligned status of Kampuchea? Viet Nam simply does not have a cas.e. 46. There exist time-honoured friendly relations between China and Viet Nam. China consistently opposes aggres- sion and expansion by imperialism. colonialism and hegemonism. Therefore. China extended all-out support to Viet Nam during its national liberation struggles. By the same token. when Viet Nam openly invaded neigh- bouring Kampuchea. China was naturally opposed to such a move. That was why Viet Nam has come to regard China as an obstacle to its quest for regional hegemony and has turned against China. The myth about a "China threat" is obviously designed to conceal Viet Nam's own acts of aggression and expansion and to sow discord be- tween China and South-East Asian countries. It is also designed to force China into supporting Viet Nam's reck- less policy of establishing regional hegemony in.Kampu- chea and the whole of South-East Asia. 47. Another tactic used by Viet Nam is the claim that it would consent to a partial withdrawal of its troops from Kampuchea if the other countries cease to support Demo- cratic Kampuchea. This is like a gang of robbers who. having broken into and looted a house and committed murder, offer to reduce the number of the gang in the house if the neighbours refrain from helping the dis- tressed owner to drive out the criminals. How can anyone be expected to accept such an absurd condition'? Viet 49. At its thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth sessions the Gen- eral Assembly adopted by an overwhelming majority of votes resolutions on the situation in Kampuchea [resolutions 34/22 and 35/6] calling for the immediate and complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Kampu- chea so that the Kampuchean people Cdn decide their own destiny without foreign intervention, and calling for re- spect for the independence. neutrality and territorial in- tegrity of Kampuchea. These principles were reaffirmed in the Declaration adopted by the Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi last February [see A/36/116 and Corr.J] and the Declaration adopted by the International Conference on Kampuchea, 2 attended by more than 90 countries in New York last July. Upholding the purposes and princi- ples of the Charter and the norms of international rela- tions and reflecting the desire of all peace-loving coun- tries and peoples, these resolutions and declarations carry a tremendous moral force in the international community. Viet Nam, however. with the backing and connivance of the Soviet Union, has been adamantly defiant, even call- ing those resolutions and declarations "illegal" and "null and void". 50. It is the purpose Df the United Nations to oppose aggression. uphold justice and maintain international peace and security. The United Nations has the bounden duty to stop any aggression against a sovereign State. Being a Member of the United Nations. Viet Nam has the obligation to comply with and carry out the resolutions of the Organization. Instead. it has denounced those correct resolutions as "illegal" and "null and void". This shows that Viet Nam is bent on a policy of aggression. 51. The Chinese delegation clearly expounded its posi- tion on the Kampuchean question during the general de- bate in the General Assembly [JOth meeting]. The Chi- nese Government is of the view that Viet Nam must withdraw all its troops from Kampuchea immediately and unconditionally so that the Kampuchean people can be free to choose their own political system and government without outside intervention and under the supervision of the United Nations. Following a settlement along this line. the countries concerned should join in an interna- tional guarantee not to interfere in the internal affairs of Kampuchea in .any form, to respect its independence and neutral and non-aligned status. to refrain from occupying the territory of Kampuchea or otherwise using it as a base for invading or intervening in other countries, and to re- spect the result of the free elections by the Kampuchean people under United Nations supervision. We wish to see 52. We hope that the General Assembly will stand by the principles contained in the resolutions of its previous sessions and renew its efforts towards the solution of the Kampuchean question. In conclusion, we appeal to all States Members of the United Nations to vote in favour of the draft resolution submitted by the States members of ASEAN and by others.

Almost three years have elapsed since the begin- nings of the Kampuchean problem-a problem of compli- cated political and humanitarian dimensions which has led to the victimization of a whole people that has been ex- posed to repression, homelessness and foreign invasion. It is indeed deplorable that, despite continuous international efforts to put an end to aggression and to restore peace to Kampuchea, the problem, in all its dimensions, still ex- ists, thereby leading to an escalation of ten~ion in South- East Asia. 54. In spite of all the positive aspects of the constant endeavours of the United Nations to provide a solution to this problem, some negative elements have stood in the way of those endeavours, with a view to obstructing them. These negative factors have been manifested in the positions adopted by some countries, such as the position taken by a super-Power in 1979 to obstuct a draft resolu- tion by the Security Council calling for an end to the aggression in Kampuchea and for the withdrawal of for- eign forces from the territory of that country. The latest of these negative developments was the boycott, by some of the main parties to the dispute, of the International Conference on Kampuchea held last July. 55. Aware of the sufferings of the Kampuchean people and of the cruel circumstances through which they are passing, and convinced that a continuation of this situa- tion would pose a threat to the security of the countries of South-East Asia, we are of the view that the achievement of a comprehensive political solution to this problem is an urgent matter which can brook no delay and which im- poses in all the parties concerned the need to steer away from such negative attitudes. 56. At the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth sessions the General Assembly drew international attention to the need to reach a comprehensive settlement of this problem-but with no results. This was reflected in two General Assem- bly resolutions-34/22, of 14 November 1979, and 35/6, of 22 October 1980-which were adopted by overwhelm- ing majorities. In 1981 a preliminary step was taken along the path of solving the Kampuchean problem, when the praiseworthy efforts of the Secretary-General culmi- nated in the convening of the International Conference on Kampuchea on 13 July, pursuant to resolution 35/6. 57. It is unfortunate indeed that, in spite of the par- ticipation of 79 countries and 14 observers in the work of that Conference, Viet Nam boycotted it and was joined in that position by a number of other countries. That fact had a negative influence on the outcome of the CQn- ference. 59. In reaffirming its support for the just cause of the people of Kampuchea, Egypt is not trying to defend cer- tain regimes or certain rulers but is motivated by the es- tablished principles to which it has always adhered and has always been committed-principles which reject for- eign occupation and renounce the use of force in interna- tional relations. It was in conformity with these principles that the Egyptian delegation, at the outset of the current session, voted in favour of accepting 1I1e credentials of Democratic Kampuchea. That position, which is a confir- mation of the position we have held in the past, stems from our adherence to international law and from our re- fusal. to recognize a regime which was imposed on the people by a foreign military Power. 60. The delegation of Egypt supports the efforts at providing an equitable political solution to this problem, and is therefore convinced that draft resolution A/36/L.3/ Rev. I contains extensive, positive elements that represent an equitable basis for a comprehensive solution to the problem. The draft resolution contains a number of opera- tive paragraphs which may be regarded as a confirmation of resolutions 34/22 and 35/6, as well as of the Declara- tion2 and resolution3 adopted by the International Con- ference on Kampuchea. All those resolutions were sup- ported by Egypt and by an overwhelming majority of other countries. Operative paragraphs 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 of the araft resolution specify a number of important meas- ures, the implementation of which would contribute to a solution of the Kampuchean problem. Operative para- graph 10 urges all the States of South-East Asia and other concerned States which declined to attend the Conference to attend future sessions of the Conference on Kampu- chea, to be held at a date to be determined in accordance with resolution I (I), adopted at the first session of the International Conference. 61. My delegation wouid like to reaffirm that a compre- hensive settlement of this problem cannot be achieved without the effective participation of all parties con- cerned, and that all parties to the problem, particularly the countries which have boycotted the work of the Inter- national Conference, should reaffirm their goodwill by re- sponding to the invitation to participate in it. 62. My delegation supports also the humanitarian objec- tives set forth in operative paragraphs 12, 13 and 15. They are of paramount importance to the Kampuchean people, which is being subjected to the worst forms of . repression and suffering. 63. It behoves me, in this connection, to express Egypt's appreciation for the efforts exerted by UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross in providing relief to Kampuchean refugees. We also express our appreciation for the role played by the European Community in helping to finacce relief operations for the benefit of that unfortunate people. 64. As regards operative paragraph 14, which urg€s the countries of the region to establish a zone of peace and 65. Therefore, and in the light of the positive elements of the draft resolution, the delegation of my country will vote in favour of it. Egypt has previously declared its sup- port for the United Nations resolutions on the situation in Kampuchea, as well as for the Final Declaration adopted at the New Delhi Conference of the non-aligned coun- tries, which decided the position of the non-aligned coun- tries on this problem. We should like to reaffirm once again our adherence to those resolutions. We call for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchean territory, in accordance with the time-frame to be determined by the United Nations. 66. Egypt also reaffirms the right of the Kampuchean people to choose their system of government without any foreign interference, because we cannot keep silent in the face of foreign invasion and because we believe in free- dom and independence. We cannot but oppose repression, convinced as we are of the right of peoples to self-deter- mination and justice and of the supremacy of law. The policy of Egypt with regard to this question is governed by our commitment and adherence to the principles set forth in the Charter concerning respect for the indepen- dence and territorial integrity of all States, non-inter- ference in their internal affairs, the non-use of force in international relations, recognition of the right of peoples to self-determination and respect for the fundamental prin- ciples of human rights. Our position is uniform and con- sistent because it stems from our belief that peace in this great world is indivisible. Thus aggression against the sovere,ignty and territorial integrity of any country repre- sents a flagrant violation of international peace and se- curity-a fact which. places direct responsibility on the United Nations and its Member States to adopt collective and effective measures to prevent and terminate all acts of aggression. 67. The situation in Kampuchea cannot be condoned by the international community; if it were, we should be ad- vocating the use of force in international relations. Egypt, believing in peace and in the right of the Kampuchean people to self-determination and to choose their own re- gime without any foreign interference, calls upon the United Nations and the Governments of peace-loving countries to make further efforts to bring about a compre- hensive and equitable settlement of the problem that will guarantee the Kampuchean people their freedom, inde- pendence and sovereignty over all their territory. 68. Mr. 'OTT (German Democratic Republic) (inter- pretation from Russian): Against the will of the lawful Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea and without the participation of that Government a debate on the so-called situation in Kampuchea has once again been included in the agenda of the General Assembly. The ad- vocates of the inclusion of this unlawful item in the agenda claim to seek what they call a "global political solution" of the problem. It might be thought that by that they mean a condemnation under international law of the ousted and expelled Pol Pot clique, which has been re- sponsible for the killing of more than 3 million men, women and children. In fact that is not at all what they mean. It is clear that they intend once again to impose that genocidal regime on the people of Kampuchea. That is the only way in which the demands and formulations 69. The delegation of the German Democratic Republic wishes to state once again that nobody has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the sovereign State of Kampuchea and to impose yet again on its people the hated ousted regime of Pol Pot. Therefore my delegation rejects any attempts, by the use of the formula of so- called neutralization and the so-called withdrawal of for- eign troops, to disrupt the traditional friendship and co- operation among the three Indo-Chinese peoples of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Viet Nam and Kam- puchea. 70. For many decades the people of Kampuchea have had to fight for their freedom and independence and for a peaceful life. The Kampuchean people have suffered in- calculable losses in the fight against imperialism and hegemonism, against the genocidal regime propped up by foreign Powers, and it is unthinkable that now, in the light of that, it should allow the door to be opened for Pol Pot to return. Therefore any decisions adopted by any self- appointed bodies on the internal affairs of the People's Republic of Kampuchea must be regarded as unlawful. This applies fully to the so-called International Con- ference on Kampuchea. 7 I. Myodelegation wishes to draw attention to one more alarming aspect. Attempts are being made to make the restoration of the Pol Pot regime in Kampuchea a condi- tion of, even a prerequisite for, peace and security in South-East Asia. But it is essential to state quite clearly in this regard that to await the restoration of the rule of the Pol Pot clique in Kampuchea would be a complete waste of time. It would be, moreover, a dangerous illu- sion to expect from the imperialist and hegemonist forces behind that clique any progress towards peace, security and stability in the region. 72. The People's Republic of Kampuchea has now been in existence for almost three years, and that has been long enough to demonstrate that the normalization of political, economic and cultural life in the People's Republic of Kampuchea poses no threat at all to the peace, stability and security of South-East Asia. Events show unmistaka- bly that the reasons for the existing tension in the region are to be found exclusively in the policy of certain Powers intent on interference in the internal affairs of Kampuchea and on blackmailing and bringing pressure to bear on all the States of the region. 74. The hegemonistic policy of Beijing poses a serious threat to peace and security in South-East Asia. Beijing is lavish in its support for the Pol Pot clique and, at the same time. is carrying out acts of armed aggression against neighbouring countries to teach them what it calls "lessons". There is every reason to fear that Beijing's ac- cess to the Pentagon's military arsenals within the frame- work of the so-called strategic partnership is an encour- agement to the hegemonistic ambitions of Beijing and a cause of new danger to the peoples of South-East Asia. 75. The normalization of the situation in South-East Asia and the creation of a zone of peace in the region are possible only through a constructive dialogue between the States of Indo-China and ASEAN. 76. During the general debate at the 3rd meeting, the Foreign Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic once again set forth a constructive programme. The pro- posals contained in the seven-point plan [see A/36/561] reflect the. desire of Kampuchea, Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic to live in harmony with their neighbours. They reject whatever divides them and focus their attention on questions which are of common interest and which can and must be resolved. 77. Has not the time now come for all those who sin- cerely desire peace in the region to respond positively to those reasonable proposals? Do not the ASEAN countries have every reason to abandon their unwarranted distrust, even hostility. concerning their neighbours in Indo-China and to treat them as partners in negotiations? Is not a responsible dialogue the most sensible alternative to the present state of tension and danger? 78. The delegation of the German Democratic Republic wishes to restate its view that the so-called Kampuchean question simply does not exist. Unceasing attempts to have a discussion of this bogus issue will bring nothing but harm and aggravated tension. The only questions that exist are those of the recognition of the historic transfor- mations in Kampuchea, the recognition of the lawful Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the granting to that Government of its lawful place in the Organization. In this regard, the delegation of the German Democratic Republic fully endorses the telegram of the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Kampuchea dated 13 October 1981 [see A/36/596]. 79. The national uprising of 7 January 1979 means that the people of Kampuchea has made its choice. It is suc- cessfully moving forward along the difficult path of na- tional and social rebirth. The free general elections held on 1 May of this year have completed the formation of the democratic organs of authority. By expressing through its vote it5 trust in the policy of the People's Revolution- ary Council. the population of Kampuchea has expressed fJt the same time its endorsement of the course of, social n,evelopment chosen by that Council. Thus the people of "Thanks to the admirable efforts of the international emergency relief operation led by UNICEF and the In- ternational Committee of the Red Cross, the physical condition of much of the population of Kampuchea has been transformed in the last two years." [8th meeting. para. 73.] My delegati'on shares that assessment of the humanitarian activities of the international organizations. 81. However. we must admit that tangible progress in Kampuchea would have been impossible without the ac- tive participation of the Government in Phnom Penh. For example, the Executive Director of UNICEF, in connec- tion with international aid operations. has repeatedly drawn attention to the exemplary actions of the local au- thorities. 82. Would it not be logical for all States to draw from those facts the conclusion that recognition should be ac- corded to the lawful Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea? 83. The German Democratic Republic will continue. as in the past. to stand at the side of the people of Kampu- chea and to provide that people with strong support and solidarity. It will continue to give active support to the legitimate struggle of the People's Republic of Kampu- chea for general international recognition and to provide effective assistance to that people in overcoming the very grievous inheritance left by the ousted terrorist regime. 84. The foreign policy of the young State, based on the principles of the Charter and designed to secure peace and stability in South-Ea~t Asia and good relations with its neighbours, shows ever more clearly that the stability of the People's Republic of Kampuchea is an inalienable component of peace, security and stability in South-East Asia as a whole. 85. If, at its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly takes into account the real state of affairs which has been created, it will truly be acting in a responsible manner.

From 13 to 17 July this year more than 80 countries gathered in this very Hall to participate in the International Conference on Kampuchea, convened pursuant to resolution 35/6, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority' at the thirty- fifth session of the General Assembly. True to its pur- poses, the Conference adopted a Declaration and resolu- tion which laid down the framework for a comprehensive political solution to the Kampuchean problem, on the basis of the withdrawal of all forei.gn forces and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutral and non-aligned status of Kampuchea, as well as the right of the Kampuchean people to self-determination, free from outside interference. The major elements for negotiations between the conflicting parties-the steps to be taken be- 87. My delegation is naturally encouraged by the sup- port and the attention that the international community has given to the search for a comprehensive political solu- tion and by its endorsement of the approach to which ASEAN is committed. We are grateful to the Secretary- General and to all those who have given us their under- standing and support; we are grateful for the sense of urgency which they attach to the early solution of the Kampuchean problem. - 88. The need for an early solution could not be over- emphasized, as any undue delay will exacerbate the situa- tion in Kampuchea, where the forces of the legal Govern- ment of Democratic Kampuchea are waging an armed guerrilla resistance struggle against the occupation forces of Viet Nam. The human toll has been heavy. The rav- ages to the economic life of the country have been un- precedented, causing enormous hardship and deprivation to the people. Had it not been for the selfless efforts of the international community, which rallied together to set up an enormous emergency relief aid programme, hun- dreds of thousands more people would have perished. The inescapable fact is that for so long as the fighting con- tinues the innocent people of the country will continue to suffer in misery and want. 89. Today about 200,000 Vietnamese troops are still sta- tioned in Kampuchea. Huge concentrations of these troops are located along the Thai-Kampuchean border, causing serious concern to Thailand over its security and territorial integrity. The potential for further spill-over of the fighting into neighbouring States, especially Thailand, therefore remains real and serious, as it has been shown to be in the last two and a half years since Vietr.amese forces marched into Kampuchea and overthrew the legiti- mate Government of that country. 90. The continuation of the hostilities also carries the risk of greater involvement and entrenchment of external Powers in the affairs of South-East Asia. The potential for countries of the region being drawn into the big-Power conflict, with serious repercussions on their security and stability, is thus enhanced. This is what we, countries of the region, wish to avoid. What we should like to see is an orderly development of relations among countries of the area, free from external interference or intervention and free from the threat of the use of force from any external Power, either directly or through any country in the region. 91 . The solution of the Kampuchean problem is the key to the peace, security and well-being not only of Kampu- chea and its people but also of the region as a whole. We regret. however. that Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. two members of the South-East Asian region. continue to pretend that there is no problem in Kampuchea. and continue to reject any proposal made by the Assembly for negotiations leading to the with- drawal of foreign troops and a comprehensive political so- lution in Kampuchea. General Assembly resolutions 93. What is now required is a sincere effort by all con- cerned to get together and negotiate the various elements already identified by the International Conference. The framework established by the Conference has provided sufficient flexibility to ensure that negotiations can lead to meaningful progress towards a comprehensive political so- lution beneficial to the long-term interests of all States in the region. It would also have the advantage of enabling countries of the region to disengage from super-Power in- volvement and lead an independent and 11on-aligned exist- ence in harmony with one another. We deem it in the best interest of Viet Nam to join together with its South-East Asian neighbours and participate in the negotiations for their common benefit. 94. We wish to reiterate that any attempt to force the acceptance of the Heng Samrin regime in Kampuchea and to perpetuate the presence of Vietnamese forces in the country, contrary to the resolutions of the General Assem- bly, can only prolong the Kampuchean conflict and the resultant instability of the entire region. The path towards long-term peace and stability lies not in sweeping the Kampuchean problem under the carpet but in facing it squarely through sincere negotiations. It is in that spirit that my appeal to the delegation of Viet Nam is made. We wish that they would respond in the same spirit. 95. We have before the Assembly draft resolution A/36/ L.3/Rev. I. sponsored by more than 30 countries, includ- ing my own. It seeks to endorse the report of the Interna- tional Conference on Kampuchea, and also to establish an Ad Hoc Committee which would act as a working group between sessions of the International Conference. We see the creation of' the Ad Hoc Committee as necessary to maintain the momentum in order to achieve the aims for a comprehensive political solution. The draft resolution seeks neither to condemn nor to punish any country, but merely to get the process of negotiations going in the in- 97. Every day the capitalist mass information media spew out to the world their flow of half-truths, gross falsi- fications and mediocre wiles, hatched by mediocre au- thors, for the ears of naive gumchewers or worn-out cow- boys. 98. The "big bad wolf" of communism-a sort of leviathan for arteriosclerotic grandmas and TV addicts- opens wide its jaws around every corner, to swallow up the little red riding hood of capitalist "democracy" which, with her little basket of MX missiles, neutron bombs and B-1 bombers, modest and timid, sweetly of- fers wonderful "rapid deployment forces", backbone of tottering tyrannies, idyllic balms of free enterprise and in- vestments to the supposed "little lambs" of the third world, threatened by hunger, illiteracy, poverty. premature death and other niceties which abound in the panglossian garden of the. "free world" and which, they proclaim, we should defend at all costs, with the nineteenth century remedies of "Mr. Danger". 99. With the ease of mythomaniacs, they describe Po- land's anti-socialist reactionaries as "revolutionaries"; the Salvadorian geophagists and Fclscists are dubbed "reform- ists"; the betrayers of the Palestinian people are com- mended; the racist aggressors of Pretoria become dear friends and needed allies; United States liberals are branded as nothing less than traitors, while rank adven- turers are praised as "patriots" and the prophets of war become "enlightened" visionaries. In a word, for these latter-day followers of George Orwell, who, charac- teristically, attributed to a vague future "socialist society" the moral decay that existed in his own world long before the "fateful" 1984, the enemies of the people are their saviours. lOO. Such humbug, though adorned with futile profes- sional airs, remains pure humbug. 10 I. However repugnant are the attempts of bourgeois ideologues to convert the irrational into reality, more re- pulsive still is the wedding of imperialists and their band of allies in the war they wage against the peoples of Indo- China with the new Beijing mandarins. 102. Just like the assassins and torturers of Batista's tyr- ' anny, today indistinguishable from the mercenaries and outcasts welcomed into the imperialist fold. they all band together, strengthened, in the dunghill of the anti-Viet Nam campaign. 103. Those who in the past overthrew the gallant Prince Sihanouk-subsequently a reconciled cbllaborator of the genocidal Pol Pot-to enthrone the tyrannical regime of Lon Nol-Sirik Matak in Kampuchea; those who defoli- 104. But they have managed to win over a new ally to their shameful transvestism: the one-time vociferous de- fenders of the purity of Marxism-Leninism, the followers of the "Great Helmsman", the bold inventors of the little "Red Book" and the "paper tiger", the champions of the anti-colonialist cause-in spite of carefully preserving the profits they obtain from the colonial enclaves on their own territory-the new invaders of Viet Nam, the patrons of Pol Pot, high priests in the task of liquidating the Kam- puchean people, the unquestionable ones, the true historic enemies of the peoples of Indo-China, are today "('Iose comrades in arms" of the imperialists. 105. They pay lip service to spurning Pol Pot but they maintain his hired assassins in the United Nations. They shed crocodile tears over the Kampuchean "refugees" but they do not say that 300,000 Khmer citizens have re- turned to their homeland since the liberation. They curse the so-called intervention of Viet Nam while they finance the counter-revolutionary bands that operate from neigh- bouring territories against the people's power. Who can be fooled by their schemes'? Since when do the imperialists have moral authority? Whom do they want to frighten with their drums of war, their empty preaching, their be- lated mea culpas? If this is not a display of monstrous hypocrisy. let Tartuffe be the judge. 106. The revolutionary Government of Cuba recognizes as the sole legitimate representative of the Kampuchean people die Government of the People's Republic of Kam- puchea with headquarters in Philom Penh and control over the entire territory of that country. It rejects as spurious any manoeuvre aimed at presenti~g the Pol Pot clique and the Son Sann-Sihanouk reactionaries as representatives of that people. We condemn any attempt to return Kampu- chea to the status of a Beijing appendage or a part of the imperialist retinue-such as the attempt made at the so- called conference on Kampuchea stamped with the same seal of legitimacy as those who attacked Korea under the protective mantle of the Organization. 107. Within the non-aligned movement-which of course is out of bounds to the insults of those who con- sider the sovereignty of others as their own affairs-we have been and are in favour of finding a solution to the problems of South-East Asia-whose fundamental cause is the expansionist and hegemonistic policy of Beijing and imperialism, with the connivance of those who lend their territory as a sanctuary for the Pol Pot clique-through direct negotiations between the countries of the region on the basis of mutual respect for the principles of the inde- pendence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States and their peaceful coexistence regardless of their respec- tive political, economic and social systt;ms. 108. That is the only appropriate way to clear the path towards the creation of a zone of peace, stability and co- operation in South-East Asia. The course proposed by the authors of the draft resolution A/36/L.3/Rev.1 will only lead to confrontation with the Kampuchean people and therefore to the certain overthrow of reactionary forces and imperialism. 110. Sweden joined in that consensus because the Dec- laration reflects the principles that must, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, apply to any ac- ceptable solution of the conflict. Above all it calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchea and for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kampuchea to be fully respected. It affirms the right of the people of Kampuchea to determine its own destiny free from coercion and interference. Sweden subscribes to those principles and supports the Declaration even though we find it too detailed in certain parts to be realistic at the present stage. Ill. The Conference obviously suffered from the ab- sence of Viet Nam and those other States that share Viet Nam's standpoint of essentially denying the basic premise of the Conference, namely, the fact of a Vietnamese inva- sion and continuing military occupation of Kampuchea. My Government deeply regrets the refusal so far of Viet Nam and its allies to take part in the work of the Con- ference. 112. The first priority, therefore, is, as it was before the Conference, to promote a dialogue between the parties concerned. Only an improved political climate that may result from such a dialogue can lead to real progress to- wards an acceptable negotiated settlement of the conflict. All avenues must be tried to bring about that dialogue. The dialogue must involve not only the neighbours of Kampuchea but also others whose interests are directly concerned. In particular I am referring to China, whose co-operation is essential for any lasting settlement. 113. The Soviet Union and the United States should fa- cilitate a·solution by allowing their attitudes and actions to be guided by a 8earch for lasting stability in the region rather than by the pursuit of strategic advantage. 114. Life in K(1mpuchea can never be considered nor- mal so long as there are Vietnamese troops in that coun- try. Their presence is a continuing violation of interna- tional law. All foreign lroops must be withdrawn. We must insist on respect for the principle of the non-use of force against the territorial integrity and political indepen- dence of any State. 115. The recognition of the Kampuchean people's right to determine their own destiny without coercion or inter- ference takes on a special significance in the light of its 116. It is our firm conviction that continued interna- tional humanitarian assistance to the suffering KamjJu- cheans is still needed, be they inside or outside their country. A lasting solution for displaced Kampucheans re- lates directly to living conditions in their home country. Therefore, appropriate humanitarian assistance inside Kampuchea, beyond its primary aim of meeting survival needs, also constitutes a vital base for reducing the num- ber of afflicted Kampucheans along the border. I Should also like to emphasize my country's support for the re·· patriation programme of the United Nations High Com- missioner for Refugees, the aim of which is to allow all Kampucheans in exile who so wish to return to their home areas. 117. It is our hope that international assistance to Kam- puchea will continue. My Government is convinced that the international community as a whole has a collective responsibility to help the suffering Kampuchean people. 1I8. Taking into account what I have stated, my delega- tion is in agreement with the general thrust of the draft resolution before us. We support the request to the Secre- tary-General to continue to exercise his good offices. Our reservations about some parts of the text do not prevent us from supporting the draft resolution as a definitic'c by the international community of the framework within which a solution to the Kampuchean conflict should be sought. NarES 2 See Report of the International Conference on Kampuchea, New York (13-/7 July 1981) United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.I.20), annex I. . 3 Ibid., annex 11.