TNAG-1787-FCO40-2547-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 203

RESTRICTED

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO PHILIPPINES (27-29 MAY 1988)

INDO-CHINA

References

FCO telno 172 to UKREP: EC/ASEAN Ministerial Declaration

Essential Facts

CAMBODIA

1.

Sihanouk remains on leave of absence as President of CGDK

although he has rescinded his 'resignation', announced in January.

He has refused to meet Hun Sen again unless latter offers genuine

concessions on formation of coalition government, holding of free

elections, in Cambodia. Sihanouk's efforts to hold talks with

Vietnamese, who maintain over 100,000 troops in Cambodia, spurned by

latter.

2.

Both Sihanouk and Hun Sen have called for the convening of an

Interntional Converence to guarantee any agreement reached among the

Cambodian groups.

We retain an open mind but would wish to see more signs of progress before agreeing to attend. Recognise UK has historical connection through co-chairmanship of Geneva Conference.

We have invited Sihanouk to visit London i September so as to

explore his thinking further.

VIETNAM

3.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Hung died on 10 March.

Succeeded ad interim by Vo Van Kiet. Permanent replacement to be

chosen by National Assembly in June. Vo Kan Kiet a reformer, and

will pursue attempts to liberalise economy, encourage investment. But bureaucratic opposition to reform remains formidable and economy has gone from bad to worse Vietnam presently faced with food shortages, has appealed for international aid. Vietnamese now claim to have released practically all occupants of "re-education