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this problem. Thinking has not got very far, but the starting points are that a Khmer Rouge excluded from any settlement would be a "tiger on the loose"; that they must therefore be included; but that their notorious leaders will never be acceptable to the other factions or to international opinion; and that China must therefore agree to take them in. Nothing new in this; but at least a growing awareness that this is an issue which needs solving.
16. With the focus shifting towards the Asians tackling an Asian problem with Asian methods, it is perhaps tempting to conclude that there is no role for Britain. This is particularly so as the only ones who appeal to us to act in order to influence the outcome are the non-Communists who, by their own explicit admission, are finding it hard to stay afloat. But as events accelerate, I believe we need to keep as many fingers on the tiller as we sensibly can. One way is to move a stage further on the Prime Minister's proposal for the Five to discuss Cambodia informally. This will need a light touch: we do not want to antagonise our friends in the region, who have much more at stake than we. But it will do no harm to exchange views among the Five so that they are well primed to steer the broader UN response to events.
17.
The other step which I think we might soon usefully make is to look again at our relationship with Vietnam.
Emrys Davies, whom I met in Bangkok, points out that most of our leading European partners have now sent Ministers to Vietnam, and that we risk getting left behind. Though I would not have supported the idea of a Ministerial visit even six months ago, I think the time will soon be right. I shall let you have some considered thoughts on this in due course.
18.
I visited two camps for displaced Cambodians on the border. At Site 2 I handed over a well-received donation of household equipment, cloth and medicines worth £50,000. well impressed with the work of the UN agencies, ICRC and the voluntary organisations, and particularly glad to see large numbers of highly motivated and skilled young British people working there. It looks also as if the new Displaced Persons Protection Unit (from the Thai Army's Special Forces) will go some way towards improving the safety of the people in the
camps.
19.
One final comment: more than just about any other country I have visited, it is quite clear that the Thais see no reason for doing anything unless there is an obvious pay-off for themselves. Our negotiators in a number of areas should note this: we shall need to play the Thais at their own game as far as we are able.
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