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Statement by the Thai Foreign Minister issued
on 10 may 1983 |
- In April Foreign Minister Siddhi Savetsila made a proposal to Vietnam to the effect that as a confidence building measure signifying Vietnam's sincerity in resolving the Kampuchean problem, Vietnamese forces should take a unilateral step in withdrawing thirty kilometers from the Thai- Kampuchean border. The proposed distance for the withdrawal is meant to put the Thai border outside Vietnamese artillery range.
- On the same occasion Foreign Minister Siddhi declared that he was ready to travel to Hanoi for talks with the Vietnamese leaders in order to discuss the Kampuchean problem, should Vietnam agree to implement the said proposals.
- Over the past four years, the presence and activities of the Vietnamese force in western Kampuchea have seriously threatened Thai lives and property as well as Thai sovereignty and security, in spite of repeated assurances by Vietnamese leaders of Vietnam's desire for peace. In this connection, Foreign Minister Siddhi's proposal is consistent with UN Resolution 35/6 calling for the establishment of safe areas inside western Kampuchea.
- Thailand stands ready to work with others in bringing about the total withdrawal of foreign forces from Kampuchea and the restoration of the right of the Kampuchean people to self determination through the process of UN - supervised elections. It reiterates the position that tensions along the Thai-Kampuchean border is a consequence of the presence of Vietnamese forces in Kampuchea. Such tensions can only be alleviated if Vietnamese forces are- pulled back from the Thai border region and eventually withdrawn from Kampuchea entirely. In this respect, Thailand has every justification to ask that Vietnam respect Thai security concerns and refrain from actions that prove harmful to Thai security interests.
- Consequently, if Vietnam shows its sincerity and withdraws accordingly, a basis will be found for negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Kampuchean problem, and not merely partial settlement of the - border security situation which has been caused by the fighting within Kampuchea following the invasion and occupation of that country by Vietnam.
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