5
16. Klaus (Netherlands) said the Dutch would vote in favour of
PRG's presence but would prefer consensus procedure to votes. Adam (Luxembourg) thought they would probably vote in favour. Keil (Germany) said it was possible they would abstain rather than vote in favour pending the resumption of relations. Squire (UK) said the UK would probably abstain until they had announced recognition. It was agreed that the Nine should work for consensus procedure on votes wherever possible.
Paris Agreements
17. Villemur (France) said the French considered the Vietnam Agreements of 1973 continued in being. There were a number of important articles such as non-interference by foreign countries, the South Vietnamese people's right to self-determination, the prohibition of joining military alliances or admitting foreign bases. Obviously a number of articles had been overtaken by events. The position about the International Commission of Control and Supervision was also not clear although the point was probably academic. Squire (UK) said our own legal opinion confirmed the French view. Our general doctrine on the interpretation of international agreements led us to condude that the Agreements were still subsisting. Although one of the parties to the original Agreement had disappeared, this did not invalidate the Agreement. A number of provisions had been implemented; others have continuing relevance. At least one chapter did not refer to Vietnam
at all but to Laos and Cambodia. The political value of these legal
provision was a separate matter.
DISTRIBUTION
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
Mr Wilford
Mr Male
Sir O Wright
SEAD
EID(E)
Legal Advisers
HKIODY UND; M & VD, P & CD
Chanceries:
HANOI
SINGAPORE (for Hunt)
UKMIS NEW YORK
UKMIS GENEVA
Political Adviser, HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
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