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Background: Asked about actual situation at the moment in Cambodia, the Foreign Minister replied with a short resume of the story since independence. He stressed that the foreign policy has always been one of neutrality; this would give the country peace and a chance to make progress. Cambodia refused many proposals to send military patrol along the Cambodia-Vietnam borders, in spite of many border violations. They wanted to remain neutral.

The numerous American in Cambodia culminated in the coupdetat, against the wishes of the Cambodian people. Demonstrations against the new regime led to thousands of deaths among the demonstrators. All over Cambodia people took up arms to resi??? and this led to the massive invasion into Cambodia of American troops.

He was then asked whether he would attend the conference as an observer, or whether he has the right to attend as a member.

The foreign minister replied that his government has in fact began the policy of no-alignment, his was the original non-aligned country, and the fact that their position had been violated by a foreign power did not take away from them the right to attend a conference of non-aligned countries. It was their policy of non-alignment which led the coup d'etat. All non-aligned countries would understand their position. He hoped to attend the conference as a member.