CONFIDENTIAL
CAMBODIA (KAMPUCHEA)
1.
The Cambodian seat in the United Nations is currently held by a delegation representing Democratic Kampuchea (DK). This régime formerly led by Pol Pot (now led by Khieu Samphan), was driven from the capital, Phnom Penh, and deprived of control of much of the country by a Vietnamese invasion in December 1978. The Vietnamese have installed in Phnom Penh a 'Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea' (PRK), sometimes referred to, after its nominal leader, as the Heng Samrin régime. In our view, the PRK is completely dependent on the continued presence of the Vietnamese occupation army, which is dependent on Soviet military supplies.
2. On 6 December 1979, the Lord Privy Seal announced in Parliament that we could no longer regard Pol Pot as leading an effective government in Cambodia, but that we could not recognise the PRK authorities and that there is therefore no Government in Cambodia which we can recognise. He added that credentials should be regarded as a separate issue from recognition. Subsequently HMG announced that they would no longer 'recognise' governments (see section on Recognition).
3.
DK credentials were challenged at the 1979 and 1980 General Assemblies. On 13 October 1980 the Credentials Committee's report recommending their acceptance was approved 74 (UK, US and five EC) - 35 32 (France, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland).
-
4. The attendence of DK or PRK representatives at a Conference should be reported to the FCO by immediate telegram with an assessment of the probable form and timing of any dispute over their credentials.
(34) CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.