Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

71. Report Prepared in the Office of the First Lady¹

Washington, undated

REPORT OF MRS. ROSALYNN CARTER ON CAMBODIAN RELIEF

November 8–10, 1979

I visited Thailand November 8–10 to express the concern of all Americans over the tragedy unfolding in Cambodia, to pay tribute to the Thai government for the actions it has taken to alleviate the plight of Indochinese refugees, and to consider what additional steps the United States and other nations might take to provide food and medical care to those who have fled Cambodia as well as those who remain there.²

At the refugee camps in Thailand, I witnessed incredible starvation, disease, dislocation and suffering. At the Sakeo Holding Center for Cambodians I saw many children separated from their parents, afflicted with malaria and malnutrition. In the Lao Refugee Camp at Ubon, conditions were substantially better, yet many of the camp’s inhabitants have waited three or four years for approval to resettle abroad. They wait, hoping not to be forgotten by the world. At the Refugee Transit Center in Bangkok, I observed overcrowded and humiliating conditions which refugees awaiting final processing for emigration must endure. These were emotionally wrenching scenes, and I shall never forget them.

As bleak as these conditions were, however, they pale in horror by comparison to those which must be experienced by those still living in Cambodia. In particular, I was informed that nearly a quarter of a million people gathered near Sisophon close to the Thai border face the most desperate situation. Intensified fighting—anticipated in the coming weeks—will probably send them into Thailand where they may overwhelm existing capabilities to provide relief.

The plight of the children is particularly distressing. Indeed, a generation of Cambodian children is in danger of being lost. We saw few children under five at Sakeo, and there were virtually no toddlers. I held one infant who had survived despite malnourishment because aid was available. We must not allow others to die because our assistance was either too little or too late.

The Thai government is dealing with the massive influx of refugees with compassion. They have opened their borders to fleeing Lao and Cambodians as well as Vietnamese boat people. And they are now establishing holding centers to handle these displaced people away from the border areas where fighting threatens.

These decisions pose risks and pressures for the government of Prime Minister Kriangsak. Failure by the international community to provide visible and demonstrable political, economic, and security support to the Thais could undercut their current humanitarian approach. We must give Thailand our support and understanding.

The relief efforts of international agencies and voluntary groups in Bangkok is impressive. They have performed heroic services under the most trying circumstances. Yet I return with the conviction that coordination of such efforts in Thailand must be improved to assure maximum use of limited financial and human resources.

The most urgent issue is to get more food and medical supplies into Cambodia and to see that they are more widely distributed. UN Agency representatives have stated that the authorities in Phnom Penh may be willing to increase the amount of international relief reaching Cambodia. The Phnom Penh authorities have said they will permit delivery of food and medicines up the Mekong River, as well as expanded air and sea deliveries. These are vitally important. However, implementation is bogged down by political bottlenecks, and proposals for essential land deliveries into Cambodia from Thailand remain stymied.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

With these circumstances in mind, I believe the United States must act urgently to stimulate and contribute to expanded international efforts to relieve the suffering of refugees in Thailand and to find additional ways of delivering food and medicine to people in Cambodia. To this end we should consider the following actions:

1) The United States is fully committed to the principle that food should reach all the people of Cambodia. Right now, the overwhelming problem facing the relief effort is how to deliver food to the people who remain in Cambodia. During my visit, I discussed the problem of approval by the authorities in Phnom Penh with Congresswoman Holtzman’s delegation before their departure for Cambodia. I raised the issue of land deliveries with Prime Minister Kriangsak who affirmed his approval of the delivery of food from Thailand with the approval of the appropriate authorities. The continued delivery of food to the Thai-Cambodian border area is essential. Finally, the relief effort based in Phnom Penh should be commensurate with the task at hand. The international agency presence there—currently thirteen people—is clearly inadequate.

2) While commodities and services are essential, so is cash. We must disburse available funds immediately to permit the procurement of goods and services urgently needed in Cambodia and in the Thai holding centers. We should immediately provide $2 million from our refugee funds to cover the U.S. share of World Food Program requirements through the end of 1979, and we must tap the generosity of the American people to supplement through private charity those programs to which we are contributing government funds. In this connection, the United States Commission on the International Year of the Child has already launched an appeal for Americans to give a special offering this Thanksgiving to “Children Without.” High on the priority is the refugee child. Contributions are to be donated to the charity of one’s choice with a list of relief organizations available. We must help to save the children of Cambodia by urging all Americans to participate in this fund-raising effort.

3) To meet urgent requirements in Thailand we should initiate immediately an airlift to provide, in full cooperation with pertinent international agencies, vegetable oils and special foods needed for infants and small children, mobile equipment to provide water to refugee holding camps, and communications equipment to improve coordination between the refugee camps and support agencies in Bangkok. Subject to the concurrence of authorities in Phnom Penh, we should also be prepared to transport by air such equipment as fork lifts and cranes to facilitate handling and distribution of food and medical supplies arriving at the seaport of Kompong Son and the river port at Phnom Penh.

4) We need to work with the international relief agencies and voluntary groups in Thailand to develop integrated contingency plans for coping with a massive influx of additional Cambodian refugees across the Thai border during the weeks immediately ahead. The identification of sites for additional holding centers should be expedited, construction materials for hospitals identified and earmarked, and plans initiated for providing food, water and medical services.

5) In the light of additional heavy burdens anticipated by the Thai, we should earmark more of the monthly refugee entry allocations to Thailand during the next quarter. This would help offset large numbers of new arrivals from Cambodia and offer more equitable resettlement possibilities in other camps such as Ubon. Thailand’s need is so great that it demands special attention and support.

6) We must also urge the UNHCR to construct new facilities for refugees transiting Bangkok. For our part we must accelerate the paperwork involved in processing requests for resettlement abroad.

7) We must increase the numbers of American volunteers participating in the relief effort. I was proud of the contributions being made by Americans. More can be done. The UNHCR in particular needs assistance, and I believe the Peace Corps should be asked to make volunteers available to the UNHCR at once.

8) Because malnutrition complicates and intensifies other disease problems, all efforts should be made to provide adequate food supplies to the populations of the refugee camps, in the border areas and in Cambodia. And for purposes of extending medical services to these people, the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service should work with the voluntary health organizations to assure that a national clearing house and response capacity for the refugee health volunteer effort is established.

9) In view of the desperate situation in Western Cambodia, some of the representatives of voluntary agencies with whom I spoke in Bangkok proposed initiating unilateral early truck deliveries from Thailand. While there are practical difficulties and risks associated with this proposal, I believe that it should be given serious consideration as a last resort measure.

10) We must renew our efforts to increase the contributions of other countries as we increase ours. When I stopped in Japan, for example, I discussed this matter with the new Foreign Minister³ by telephone and with the Japanese press.

11) We must swiftly appoint a new Coordinator for Refugee Affairs⁴ who can relate larger U.S. contributions—including initiatives stemming from my mission—to a broader international relief and refugee resettlement effort.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 42, Kampuchea, 11–12/79. No classification marking.
2. For Carter’s November 11 meeting with Kriangsak, see Document 180.
3. Saburo Okita assumed office November 8.
4. Richard C. Clark resigned as Coordinator for Refugee Affairs in early November. Victor Palmieri was appointed Coordinator in late December. Matthew Nimetz served as Acting Coordinator during the interim.