TNAG-1343-FCO40-1773-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 122

ANNEX A

TEXT OF STATEMENT MADE IN NAME OF SIR GEOFFREY HOWE BY SPOKESMAN

AT 23 NOVEMBER 1984 FCO PRESS CONFERENCE:

I am greatly concerned at the renewed Vietnamese military operations along the Thai/Cambodian border. These have resulted in further suffering and hardship among the civilian population there, and constitute a serious violation of the UN Charter. The British Government underline the urgent need for Vietnam to respond positively to the call by the European Community and ASEAN Foreign Ministers in their joint declaration on 16 November for Vietnam to put a stop to actions which serve to increase tension and instability along the

border.