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agreement between Britain and China would be good for the region. Mr Goodlad said that, like China, Britain was committed to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. We kept our agreements.
Burma and Cambodia
3. Mr Goodlad commented that the region was looking good except for Cambodia and Burma. GCT said that the younger generation in Burma wanted change but did not know how to achieve it. The country was in a mess. The Cambodian elections probably would not solve the problem there. If the UN pulled out this would lead to civil war. He hoped UNTAC's mandate would be extended. Mr Goodlad said that would be expensive and might not work. It was better to bolster the new Government. He was not as pessimistic as some about Cambodia. Once China removed their support the Khmer Rouge would not be keen to maintain their struggle for long. thought it unlikely that China would continue to supply arms quietly. Mr Goodlad agreed they would not want international
censure.
GCT
Peacekeeping
4.
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Bosnia and Cambodia
GCT said a small squad of Singaporean police was in Cambodia. Mr Goodlad said that the Malaysians were keen to contribute to peace-keeping in Bosnia. Would Singapore also participate if asked? GCT said that Singapore should be counted out. The situation in Bosnia was crazy. Mr Goodlad said there was hope that the conflict would burn itself out. It was not possible to impose peace by force. This would require million men and then those involved would have to return to the conference table where they were now. Sanctions were beginning to bite. But the Serbs would not yet accept the Owen-Vance map. GCT said it would not be possible to send national service men from Singapore for
It would be peace-keeping duties. They must be volunteers.
a pity if after the elections Cambodia fell apart. What would have been achieved? Mr Goodlad said that UNTAC would have achieved repatriation of refugees; registration of electors; elections; and a number of personnel trained in de-mining. It was true that the Khmer Rouge had not been persuaded to play the game but perhaps they did not want to. They were more interested in keeping their options open.
GCT
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