21 October 1981

40th plenary meeting

The situation in Kampuchea

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 34/22 of 14 November 1979 and 35/6 of 22 October 1980,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 35/6, Welcoming the convening of the International Conference on Kampuchea, held at United Nations Headquarters from 13 to 17 July 1981, as a step forward towards a comprehensive political settlement of the Kampuchean problem,

Noting the joint statement issued in Singapore on 4 September 1981 by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Mr. Son Sann and Mr. Khieu Samphan concerning their agreement, in principle to form a coalition, Bearing in mind the Declaration on Kampuchea and resolution 1 (I) adopted by the Conference on 17 July 1981, as contained in the report of the Conference, Deploring that foreign armed intervention continues and that foreign forces have not been withdrawn from Kampuchea, thus causing continuing hostilities in that country and seriously threatening international peace and security,

Greatly concerned that the continuing deployment of foreign forces in Kampuchea near the Thai-Kampuchean border has heightened tension in the region, Gravely disturbed that the continued fighting and instability in Kampuchea have forced more Kampucheans to flee to the Thai-Kampuchean border in search of food and safety,

Recognizing that the assistance extended by the international community has continued to reduce the widespread food shortages and health problems of the Kampuchean people, Emphasizing that it is the inalienable right of the Kampuchean people who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries to return safely to their homeland,

Emphasizing further that no effective solution to the humanitarian problems can be achieved without a just and lasting political settlement of the Kampuchean conflict,

Convinced that, to bring about durable peace in South-East Asia, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive political solution to the Kampuchean problem which will provide for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and ensure respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and neutral and non-aligned status of Kampuchea, as well as the right of the Kampuchean people to self-determination free from outside interference,

Convinced further that, after the comprehensive political settlement of the Kampuchean question through peaceful means, the countries of the South-East Asian region can pursue efforts to establish a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in South-East Asia so as to lessen international tensions and to achieve lasting peace in the region,

Reaffirming the need for all States to adhere strictly to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which call for respect for the national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, non-recourse to the threat or use of force, and peaceful settlement of disputes, 1. Reaffirms its resolutions 34/22 and 35/6 and calls for their full implementation;

2. Reiterates its conviction that the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchea, the restoration and preservation of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the right of the Kampuchean people to determine their own destiny and the commitment by all States to non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs of Kampuchea are the principal components of any just and lasting resolution to the Kampuchean problem;

3. Approves the report of the International Conference on Kampuchea and adopts:

(a) The Declaration on Kampuchea, which includes four elements of negotiations for a comprehensive political settlement of the Kampuchean problem;

(b) Resolution 1 (I) in which the Conference, inter alia, established the Ad Hoc Committee of the International Conference on Kampuchea;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to consult with, to assist and to provide the Conference and the Ad Hoc Committee with the necessary facilities to carry out their functions;

5. Authorizes the Ad Hoc Committee to convene during regular sessions of the General Assembly in order to carry out its tasks;

6. Further requests the Secretary-General to undertake a e a preliminary study of the possible future role of the United Nations, taking into account the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee and the elements of negotiations for a comprehensive political settlement as set out in paragraph 10 of the Declaration on Kampuchea;

7. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for taking appropriate steps in convening the Conference;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to follow the situation closely and to exercise his good offices in order to contribute to a comprehensive political settlement;

9. Decides to reconvene the Conference at an appropriate time in accordance with Conference resolution 1 (I);

10. Urges the States of South-East Asia and others concerned to attend future sessions of the Conference;

11. Requests the Conference to report to the General Assembly on its future sessions;

12. Expresses its deep appreciation to donor countries, the United Nations and its agencies and other national and international humanitarian organizations which have rendered relief assistance to the Kampuchean people, and appeals to them to continue to assist Kampucheans who are still in need, especially those along the Thai-Kampuchean border and in the holding centres in Thailand;

13. Deeply appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-General in co-ordinating humanitarian relief assistance and in monitoring its distribution, and requests him to continue such efforts as are necessary to deal with the situation;

14. Urges the countries of South-East Asia, once a comprehensive political solution to the Kampuchean conflict is achieved, to exert renewed efforts to establish a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in South-East Asia;

15. Expresses the hope that, following a comprehensive political solution, an intergovernmental committee will be established to consider a programme of assistance to Kampuchea for the reconstruction of its economy and for the economic and social development of all States of the region;

16. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session a report on the implementation of the present resolution;

17. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its s thirty-seventh session the item entitled "The situation in Kampuchea".