The Cambodian Solution

For Democracy to be installed in Burma, it may not be possible to find a solution if we just concentrate what takes place within the United Nations Security Council. It may be necessary to think outside the box, so to speak.That is why I wish to urge all opposition groups to study in detail how the UN came to be involved on at the ground level and established a transitional government there.The name of the UN transitional government was called UNCTAC – United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. This government was able to conduct free and fair elections and also produce a workable constitution that was acceptable to all Cambodian parties.

In the case of Burma, all actions within the UNSC – United Nations Security Council will be stalled as long as the two permanent members – China and Russia hold veto power. To get out of this stalemate, it is now suggested that all democratic forces inside and outside the country concentrate on urging all governments who support the democracy movement in Burma to think about holding an “International Conference on Burma/Myanmar”.
In such a conference, all participants will have the right to speak and will have only one vote.
In the case of Cambodia, the UN took the lead to work for a comprehensive solution to the Cambodian problem. The agreements were called “Agreements on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodian Conflict” and were signed on 23 October 1991 by Cambodia and 18 other nations in the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General.
It took more than a decade to achieve this result. The situation in Cambodia was first introduced to the UN Security Council in 1979.The United Nations General Assembly convened the “International Conference on Kampuchea from 13 to 17 July 1981.

The UN Secretary General requested his Special Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in South-East Asia, Rafeeuddin Ahmed to establish contact with all the principal countries related to the Cambodian conflict just as Mr. Gambari has been doing in the case of Burma.

The efforts by UN Secretary General and Mr. Rafeeudin Ahmed resulted in a meeting between Prince Norodom Sihanouk and Mr. Hun Sen in France in December 1987.

The proposal put forward by the UN Secretary-General were aimed at establishing an independent, neutral and non-aligned Cambodian state.

Some of these points are written below:

1. Overall timeframe for a ceasefire

2. Withdrawal of all foreign forces from Cambodia

3. The disposition of the Cambodian armed elements

4. Self determination through free and fair elections

5. Formation of a National Reconciliation Administration in Cambodia pending those elections with international supervision and verification

6. The repatriation and reintergration of refugees and displaced persons

7. The implementation of measures, including a human rights education programme, to ensure the non-return to policies and practices of the past.

Paris Conference on Cambodia

Let me now write a summary of the Paris Conference on Cambodia.

It was attended by eighteen countries and the Cambodian parties. France made the initiative to hold this conference and it was held from 30 July to 30 August 1989 in Paris. The French and the Indonesian Foreign Minister acted as co-Presidents. The UN Secretary-General also attended in his official capacity.

Some of the important points raised as the Conference by the UN Secretary-General were:

1. Military aspects

2. Steps necessary for internationally supervised elections

3. Repatriation of refugees and displaced persons

4. What the UN could do for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Cambodia

Apart from the above matters, he pointed out that it would be necessary to deploy an international control mechanism and that a fact-finding mission would be needed to gather the necessary technical information. The Conference agreed and such a mission was sent to visit the area from 6 to 19 August 1989.

In solving the Cambodian conflict, the interest and the active participation of the Five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely China, France, Soviet Union, UK and the US was crucial.

The result of the Paris Conference and negotiations among the Cambodian parties was a joint statement by the Five and the Cambodian parties that they had agreed to form the Supreme National Council (SNC) as the unique legitimate body and source of authority in Cambodia throughout the transitional period.
The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 688 endorsing the framework formulated by the Five on 20 September 1990.
The rest, as everyone knows is history.
For further detailed reading please visit this website: Source:http://www.cambodia.org/

By: Trained Observer