Q.
Do you consider that the present conflict in Kampuchea has been very largely engineered by some powers from outside, or is it more an internal unrest?
A.
Well, it is both. The old regime had succeeded in isolating itself from its own people by taking very cruel and drastic steps and committing what shall I say very crude actions against their own people. Therefore, they had isolated themselves from the people and the people were against them. They had also created un-necessarily bad relations with Vietnam, because it is said they even tried to violate the border of Vietnam. It is again the assertion of the Kampuchean people with the co-operation of may be the Vietnamese people that has brought about a change in their old regime. It was an inevitable development, but I am afraid that the last word is not yet said about the situation. Perhaps it is yet a developing situation if China takes an active part in this matter.
Q.
Traditionally south Asia, specially south East Asia, had been the playground of several western powers, and this has added to the complexity of the problem. What are your views on it?
A.
That is so. But now that the western powers have withdrawn from that area, China has come in and it perhaps thinks that it is its area of influence. There are two important aspects which have to be kept in view. First, it is my conviction that the doctrine of "Spheres of influence" is an anachronism in today's world and it should not be allowed to influence or distort international relations. Secondly, we should respect nationalist sentiments in south East Asia. Each country in the region, despite its pluralism, has its own national ethos and the aspiration to govern itself. Kampuchea, Vietnam, Laos — all these former Indo-China states should be allowed to develop their countries with such help as they are willing to accept from other countries, without any erosion to their national identities. I hope that soon these countries will grow and prosper as friendly neighbours, with the present feuds among them as a thing of the past. The international community should assist these nations to acquire greater economic strength and not push them into areas of tension and conflict.
