Debate during the plenary session of May 1990 on the possible resumption of the diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Statements by Benjamin VISSER, rapporteur, Máire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN, for the Council of the Ministers, Claude CHEYSSON and Jean-Thomas NORDMANN.

debate

plenary session

EU - Vietnam (T)

Resumption of the diplomatic relations with Vietnam: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Benjamin VISSER, In 1987, Vietnam requested the opening of diplomatic relations with the community. In June 1988 in Luxembourg, there was a statement which ushered in mutual recognition between Easy and Comecon. Since then, the community has established diplomatic relations with most Comecon states, but not Vietnam, although it's a member of comicon. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Benjamin VISSER, The European Commission has always and will always support diplomatic relations with Vietnam. However, the Council is against. At the time, the council's condition was that Vietnam should first withdraw its troops from Cambodia. That was done in September of 89. The Cambodian government invites all to come and inspect the situation. But in spite of that, the Council refused to negotiate with Vietnam on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Benjamin VISSER, May I ask the minister? Why this has not been done? What have been the obstacles and what does Vietnam now have to do to fulfil the conditions for the opening of negotiations? How credible is the community if conditions are laid down, which are then fulfilled without the key, the community keeping its word. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Benjamin VISSER, The commission and the parliament certainly agree. The European Parliament on the 23rd of November last year passed a resolution demanding that a decision be taken now in favour, only three votes went against it. Or is the Council under pressure from the US and China? In view of the importance of economic relations with those countries.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Benjamin VISSER, The community must do this in the member states must do it individually. The specific question is what kind of initiatives can we expect the commission and the council to take the Dutch minister, Mr. Bronk, the minister of Development Corporation, wanted to resume aid to Vietnam and drew up a 3-point program, cooperation between universities, help with debt and help with refugees. So why is the council not following this initiative? If the council doesn't want to be inspired by humanitarian motives? Why can't we establish better relations with Vietnam in our own interests?

SOUNDBITE (English), M&#225;ire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN, Council of the Ministers, Mr. Chairman, I welcome this opportunity to engage in a dialogue with Parliament on behalf of ministers of foreign affairs of the twelve, in the council and in the framework of European political cooperation. We give careful consideration to the views of the European Parliament, which on Cambodia, for example, has given clear expression to the sense of all the peoples of Europe that a renewed seizure of power by the Pol Pot, Khmer Rouge would be a totally unacceptable outcome to the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from that country.

SOUNDBITE (English), M&aacute;ire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN, Council of the Ministers, Today's debate, with its emphasis on relations with Vietnam, is timely unappropriate. I should say at the outset that the council has yet to examine the specific question of establishing official relations with Vietnam. As the honourable members questions refer extensively to the political background to this issue. I believe I should respond by outlining the attitude of the twelve to recent developments in Indo-China the 12 have welcomed Vietnam's withdrawal from Cambodia, although it must be verified.

SOUNDBITE (English), M&aacute;ire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN, Council of the Ministers, Following this significant step, there is an obligation on all parties, including Vietnam, to intensify the search for a peaceful settlement to the Cambodian problem. In our statement of the 20th of February, we emphasized the urgency of an end to conflict in Cambodia and the need to achieve through negotiation a just and lasting political solution. The objective of the twelve is to pursue a solution guaranteeing the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutrality of Cambodia and enabling the Cambodian people to control their own destiny through free and fair elections. 

SOUNDBITE (English), M&aacute;ire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN, Council of the Ministers, We give careful consideration to the views of the European Parliament on Cambodia in the formulation of 12 policy of this issue. The 12 have supported recent efforts to advance the peace process. We share the view that while the Paris conference has not yet succeeded in achieving a comprehensive solution, it has made progress in elaborating a wide range of principle elements necessary for reaching a comprehensive settlement. We therefore urge the two co-chairman of the conference to continue their consultations with a view to resuming the negotiating process and reconvening the Paris conference at an appropriate time

SOUNDBITE (French), Claude CHEYSSON, But 23rd of November 89, the European Parliament recommended that normal relations should finally be established with Vietnam. In December, when quizzed why it hadn't happened, the president of the council had a great deal of trouble in replying. It was a Frenchman and France has very close relations with Vietnam. And just now. Madam President from the Council gave us some very interesting, uh, ideas on Cambodia, but not on setting up links with Vietnam. Let's come back to Cambodia. Again, I repeat another time when people seem to be, uh, not taken seriously. When you talk about political construction of Europe, is the opinion of the parliament or the commission.

SOUNDBITE (French), Claude CHEYSSON, So lack weight lacking in weight that the Council just doesn't reply or reply decently? We know that cutting off Vietnam hurts the people, makes them poorer, doesn't allow us to have humanitarian access or political access to that society. The whole stance is not changing. We know that. Coming into a very ticklish issue here. I have a great respect for U.S. sensitivities, respect to Vietnam. They lost too many of the men in that war. Which is totally without justification. I do accept the memory, but let me say that it's not in Washington is that the foreign policy of the community should be established. Mr. President. 

SOUNDBITE (Original), Jean-Thomas NORDMANN, You cannot use as an excuse or an alibi. The fact that things with our neighbours are bad and therefore they could be worse. This is what's happening with Vietnam at the moment. Cambodia has known tremendous horrors, and all too often this means that we forget that Vietnam is still a prison. And is still the place where one of the most totalitarian regimes exist in the world. It's a power which knows nothing about perestroika. It's a power which remains a follower of Stalin, It is a power which refuses to accept humanitarian aid for where it should be. It is always deviated and which does not give power to the people. 

SOUNDBITE (Original), Jean-Thomas NORDMANN, Now, don't forget, Mr. President, that in point of fact, Europe is falling into its own trap, because as soon as we lay down certain conditions for the establishment of diplomatic relations, as soon as these conditions, official conditions are met, as soon as it has been checked that these conditions have been fulfilled, we in turn are obliged, therefore, to have these diplomatic relations. 