KURT WALDHEIM'S,
VISIT TO VIETNAM
The idea of organizing an official visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to Hanoi came up shortly after Vietnam’s admission as a member of the United Nations. The Chinese invasion of Vietnam shattered early plans for a visit in February 1979. Instead, the Secretary-General arrived at the end of April, with the hope he could contribute to the de-escalation of tensions between Vietnam and China.
CONFIDENTIAL
Note for the File
Meeting between the Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, M. Nguyen Duy Trinh on 26 April 1979
PRESENT FOREIGN MINISTER’S SIDE[:]
Foreign Minister, M. Nguyen Duy Trinh
Vice Minister, Bich Son
Mrs. Pham Thi Minh, Director of International Affairs Division
Mr. Truong Quang Ngo, International Affairs Division
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SIDE:
Secretary-General Waldheim
Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed
Mr. F. Mayrhofer-Grunbuhel
Mr. F. Giuliani
Points made by the Foreign Minister:
1. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam wishes to establish a lasting peace in the area to rebuild the country with the assistance of the international community. The Republic of Viet Nam has a policy of peace and friendship with all its neighbours. It wishes to be independent and non-aligned. In this regard, Cam Rhan Bay1 will remain a Vietnamese seaport and “does not become automatically a base for the USSR because Soviet ships visit it from time to time”.
2. The people of Viet Nam wish to develop friendly relations with the Chinese people in contrast with the attitude adopted by the Chinese leaders who are fully responsible for the deterioration of relations between the two countries and the war. Immediately after the liberation of Viet Nam, the Chinese encouraged the Kampuchean leaders to lead a border war against Viet Nam, cut off aid and try to isolate Viet Nam internationally.
3. Following the “barbaric attacks” of the Chinese, Viet Nam made “realistic, fair and just” proposals in negotiations which opened in Hanoi on 18 April. The Chinese delegations made the reply to this proposal on 26 April: “We could not find a response to our constructive proposals” (the Foreign Minister then gave the Secretary-General the text of the Chinese statement and of the reply by Viet Nam’s delegation that day.)
4. The situation at the Sino-Soviet border is still tense. While negotiations take place in Hanoi, China occupy 10 points on Chinese territory and deploys half a million troops at the border. The possibility that China may launch another attack should be of concern to everyone.
5. The events of January in Kampuchea and the foundation of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea constitute “a positive factor towards stability in South-East Asia”. The situation in Kampuchea continues to develop well.
The Kampuchean people are throwing away the remnants of the Pol Pot regime and to live their lives as they see fit.
6. Viet Nam had to resort to fighting against the Pol Pot forces in self defense because of provocations at the border.
7. The Chinese leaders are trying to maintain “the legal status of so-called Democratic Kampuchea” at the United Nations but Viet Nam considers that the revolutionary people’s council of Kampuchea is a legitimate authority. “What should come will come” in this regard. The Soviet Union intends to raise the matter at the forthcoming session of the General Assembly on Namibia.
8. Viet Nam continues to implement its policy of co-operation with the ASEAN countries as expounded by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong last year. The views of the ASEAN countries as expressed in the Security Council earlier this year are not consistent with realities. The Chinese leaders are trying to cause enmity between Viet Nam and Kampuchea on the one hand and the ASEANs but Viet Nam is interested in establishing a zone of peace, prosperity and friendship in the area and stands firm behind its commitments to the ASEAN leaders.
9. Viet Nam wants to normalize its relations with the United States. This was on the brink of normalization when the United States changed its views because of what happened in Kampuchea. The United States has made a mistake in becoming “an accomplice of China”.
10. The Government will allow all Vietnamese wishing to leave the country to go except for criminals, security risks and persons irreplaceable in the administration. Viet Nam co-operates and will co-operate with UNHCR.
11. Viet Nam’s relations with the United Nations are “very, very good”. The resolution of the 32nd General Assembly on assistance to Viet Nam was “an event of great importance”. The Foreign Minister expresses “heartfelt thanks” for the United Nations assistance and expresses the hope of “continued support and assistance for the reconstruction of the country”.
The meeting lasted two hours and 15 minutes.
François Giuliani
30 May 1979
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UN/Kurt Waldheim Files/ S-0987/0008/11. Meeting Between the Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, M. Nguyen Duy Trinh, 26 April 1979.
Go to the scanned copy of the folder, p. 28 of the pdf file.