TNAG-1803-FCO40-2563-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-talks-between-the-UK--Hong-Kon-1988 — Page 131

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which brought Vietnam together with the four Cambodian factions (representatives of the Phnom Penh regime and the three resistance groups) plus members of ASEAN, the Vietnamese succeeded in establishing a link between their withdrawal from Cambodia and the threat of the Khmer Rouge stepping into the vacuum. When the Secretary of State met the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister, Tran, in New York on 30 September the latter insisted that his Government would abide by their original undertaking of complete withdrawal by the end of 1990, or earlier in the event of a political settlement. But Tran still drew a connection between the pace of troop withdrawals and measures to prevent the return of Pol Pot.

6. We too are concerned that Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge may attempt to seize power by force. But the Vietnamese must not be allowed to use this as an excuse to prolong their illegal occupation.

7. ASEAN have run successive annual UNGA resolutions calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Cambodia and the re-establishment of an independent government in Phnom Penh following free elections. We traditionally cosponsor the resolution and expect to do so again this year. However the Vietnamese have undertaken a lobbying campaign to soften the text. They (and the Russians) have argued that a more conciliatory resolution this year is necessary to reflect the dialogue begun at the JIM and would facilitate involvement of the UN Secretary General and the Security Council in the settlement process. We should use a suitably long

spoon.

Vietnamese Embassy Firearms Incident

8.

Press photographs on 7 September showed a Third Secretary (Khang Than Nhan) at the Vietnamese Embassy brandishing a firearm in front of demonstrators. No shots were fired. The police were not present when the gun was waved but were called to the Embassy soon after.

Mr Eggar summoned the Vietnamese Ambassador on 7 September and asked for the weapon to be handed over. HMG required a full and

9.

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