TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 242

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and the Prince. M. Martin agreed that there had been a shift in

China's position. They clearly did not want to be held responsible for Khmer Rouge blocking an agreement and they had consequently

pushed them to attend the JIM.

8. Mr McLaren said that the UK was not a leading player and we naturally looked to France, given her historical role in the region, but we were keen to do what we could to help. Both the Chinese and the Russians listened to us. We had raised the subject with them and would continue to do so. We also had good relations with

members of ASEAN. There may come a time when an international conference would be necessary to set the seal on an emerging

settlement.

There might be a role for the UK in such a conference

but we had no disposition thrust ourselves forward. Nor were we

promoting the idea of a resumption of the Geneva Conference, though Vietnam and India had tried to press us to do so. The Foreign Secretary was sceptical that a 30 year old formula was still

appropriate. A UN-type conference might be better but Vietnam did

not like the idea. The UK was keeping an open mind. M. Martin was

sure that it would be necessary to have a conference at some point and France automatically saw the UK as having a role, possibly as

Co-Chairman. He agreed that a new format might be more appropriate. When did we think it would be appropriate to hold such a conference?

Mr McLaren said that we had taken the line publicly that it was

premature to think about one. The JIM had brought the parties together for the first time. Once they were agreed on the basic

elements of a solution we could consider whether a conference was

appropriate and, if so, what sort. It could for example set the

seal on an agreement and consider external guarantees for a

settlement.

9.

M. Martin said that French interest in Indo-China was growing

again. Prince Sihanouk, the Thais and the Vietnamese all wanted

France to become more involved. France could pass messages and had

a reserve of credit. But they did not want just to be "used" by any

side. M. Martin said that Co Thach was anxious for a further

meeting between Prince Sihanouk and Hun Sen in Paris, but he had

made it clear in reply to him that Hun Sen would have to have

something substantive to offer the Prince. He should answer the

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