Kampuchea creates ‘serious differences’

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 10

Kampuchea creates ‘serious differences’

NZPA-Reuter Djakarta The Soviet Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, had no new proposals for ending the Kampuchean conflict and serious differences remain, his Indonesian counterpart, Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, said yesterday. As Mr Shevardnadze flew out of Djakarta for Vietnam, Mr Mochtar told a news conference: “He did not make any new proposals on Kampuchea . . . There are possibilities for a compromise ... but serious differences remain.” Mr Shevardnadze’s four-day stay, the first visit by a Soviet Foreign Minister since President Suharto rose to power' 20 years ago, was dominated by talks and speculation

about a possible breakthrough on Kampuchea, which was invaded by Vietnam in late 1978. The Soviet official did offer a new friendship between Moscow and the fiercely anti-communist Indonesian Government. A joint statement said Indonesia and the Soviet Union agreed to maintain efforts for a political solution of the Kampuchean conflict, but made no mention of any progress. It also said the two sides saw eye-to-eye on global disarmament issues, condemned apartheid in South Africa, considered the Geneva talks on Afghanistan useful, and supported nuclear-free zones in various parts of the world. Mr Mochtar said Mr Shevardnadze would con-

vey the views of Indonesia and other noncommunist South-East Asian nations about Kampuchea to Vietnam’s new leaders when he visits - Hanoi. “It remains to be seen what happens after his visit to Indochina, whether relations with (South-East Asia) improve,” Mr Mochtar told reporters. The Indonesian Foreign Minister said he saw "no signs of flexibility” from Vietnam and he appeared to be pessimistic about Moscow’s ability to get Hanoi to soften its stand. “The Soviet side was very clear that this was something for the Kampucheans to settle for themselves,” he said. “The talks were very frank and conducted in a cordial atmosphere.”