FOR PRESS 18 FEBRUARY, 1979
INDO-CHINA CONFLICT_
Cabinet met today in special session to receive a
report and briefing from the Defence Committee on events
in Indo China. The Defence Committee met earlier today to
consider the matter.
The Australian Government views with real concern the
incursion of Chinese armed forces into Vietnam. This
situation has arisen out of the earlier Vietnamese
invasion of KamLpuchea, and has developed to the stage where
armed* conflict has now erupted between China and Vietnam.
I recall that on the 13th February, my colleague the
Foreign Minister, Mr. Peacock, drew attention to the fact
that some time ago the Government had identified this
deteriorating and potentially dangerous situation. As
a result the Government ha รต been in close touch with
other Governments which might be able to bring influence
to bear on the situation.
The most recent development in Indo China adds to our
earlier concern and to that of the world community.
The Australian Government calls on Vietnam to withdraw
its forces from Kampuchea and on China to withdraw its
forces from Vietnam.
The Australian Government has already asked the USSR,
both in Moscow and through its Ambassador in Canberra,
to use its special relationship with Vietnam to bring
about a cease fire and withdrawal of Vietnamese forces
from Kampuchea.
The Government cannot accept the use of force for the
settlement of disputes, whatever their cause. The Government
has noted the approaches in the past few days to the United
Nations Security Council by both the Chinese and Vietnamese
Governments the one for the withdrawal of Vietnamese forces
from Kampuchea and the other for the withdrawal of Chinese
forces from Vietnam. It has also noted that both sides have
said they are ready to enter into negotiations for a peaceful
settlement. It is our earnest hope that these opportunities
to bring a halt to the fighting and to settle the matter
peacefully will not be lost.
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Should the question come before the Security Council
again, Australia, although not a member of the Council,
would seek to participate actively in its deliberations.
The maintenance of peace and stability in the region is of
great and fundamental importance to Australia. Our concerns
are widely shared and we are continuing to keep in close
touch with other Governments. In particular, the Government
is expressing its serious concern to the parties most
directly involved, and is calling again upon them to seek
an immediate halt to the conflict.
The Government will continue to keep this matter
under close review as the situation evolves in the
coming days.
I also propose to ask the Office of National Assessment to
give a full briefing on the situation to the Leader of
the Opposition, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and
the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
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