China opposes Khmer Rouge trial

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 6, 1999  
China opposes Khmer Rouge trial
Other nations urged not to interfere

Achara Ashayagachat and Bhanravee Tansubhapol
China yesterday indicated its opposition to an international genocide trial of
Khmer Rouge leaders but stopped short of saying whether it would veto such a
proposal at the United Nations Security Council.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said the question of bringing the
surviving guerrilla leaders to justice is an "internal affair" of Cambodia
that
the government and people of that country should decide.
Other countries "should not interfere" as this would complicate the issue. Of
key importance, he added, is the preservation of Cambodia's hard-won
"stability
and national reconciliation" .
But when asked if China would use its UN veto to block a genocide trial, Mr
Tang refused to answer the question, saying he believed there was "no
possibility in practice" of such an event under present circumstances.
He also noted that the UNSC was looking at other "constructive proposals" for
solving the problem. Britain, France, Russia and the United States are other
permanent members of the UNSC.
Mr Tang made the comments after talks with Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan.
China was a major backer of the Khmer Rouge during the war against Vietnam's
occupation of Cambodia from 1979-1991. Thailand spearheaded the drive for a
political solution, and for recognition of a coalition of which the Khmer
Rouge
was the military backbone.
Mr Surin said discussion of the Khmer Rouge problem should not implicate other
countries. He also urged consideration for the stability of the region as well
as that of Cambodia. 
Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar, who also met Mr Surin yesterday, said
the problem was a matter for Cambodian leaders. Asean as a whole had not
discussed it, added the current chairman of the group's standing committee.
Calls for a trial have mounted since Khmer Rouge nominal leader Khieu Samphan
and ideologue Nuon Chea defected to Phnom Penh on December 25.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is due to go to Beijing next week, and Mr
Tang
is expected to discuss the issue with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
when she visits China in March.

Meanwhile, Mr Jayakumar criticised the European Union for what he called
inconsistency over Burma. The Singapore foreign minister was referring to the
EU's reservations about Burma that had led to the postponement of the 13th
Asean-EU Joint Co-operation Committee, and the deadlock on participation in a
ministerial meeting due to take place in Germany next month.
The EU, he pointed out, had sat at the same table as Burma in Kuala Lumpur and
Manila over the past two years as part of regular conferences after the Asean
foreign ministers' annual meetings. These included the the Asean Regional
Forum
for security discussion, and the Asean ministers' post-ministerial conference
with the EU as a dialogue partner.
Foreign Minister Surin however maintained that the positions of Asean and the
EU were now closer. And he hoped to get the JCC going in Bangkok before
ministers meet in Berlin on March 30.
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Last Modified: Sat, Feb 6, 1999
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