TNAG-0558-FCO40-653-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 93

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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 continue 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 provisions was a separate matter.

DISTRIBUTION

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

Mr Wilford

Mr Male

Sir O Wright

SEAD

EID(E)

Legal Advisers

HKIOD, UND, M & VD, P & CD

Chanceries:

HANOI

SINGAPORE (for Hunt)

UKMIS NEW YORK

UKMIS GENEVA

Political Adviser, HONG KONG

CONFIDENATAT...