Assuming such action receives the backing of the Security Council, I would be prepared to provide such cooperation and assistance, while keeping the Council regularly informed. I would do so on the understanding, discussed with the authors of the request, that the role of the Organization would be essentially political in nature, since the actual safety of the returnees as well as their capacity to resume political activities in an unfettered fashion would be the responsibility of the Cambodian authorities - a responsibility which the authorities have undertaken to shoulder in the 22 October letter from His Excellency Mr. Ung Huot and His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen. Samdech Hun Sen apply fully to the Prince, and I am writing to him accordingly. I would be grateful to you, Mr. President, if you could kindly make the text of the present letter and its attachments available to the members of the Security Council. On behalf of the delegation of the Royal Government of Cambodia, we wish to express our deep appreciation for the precious time you gave us for a direct exchange of views on the current situation in Cambodia, including the issues of the Cambodian seat at the United Nations and the role of the United Nations in the Cambodian election in 1998.
Preparations are currently under way for the election to take place as scheduled.
As discussed, the Royal Government of Cambodia is determined to organize this election in the most democratic and the fairest manner possible, with the participation of as many political parties and the observation of as many international observers as possible. The Royal Government of Cambodia wishes to reiterate its readiness to cooperate with Your Excellency in coordinating the dispatch and the work of international observers mandated to observe the whole electoral process. In order to ensure that the elections are held in a democratic, free and fair manner and with the participation of all political parties, the Government undertakes to guarantee the physical security and safety of those members of the National Assembly and other political leaders who wish to return to Cambodia and resume their political activities in connection with the forthcoming elections. The Government also undertakes to maintain and respect the parliamentary immunity of members of the National Assembly and to guarantee all other political leaders' freedom from arrest and detention in respect of acts done and words spoken prior to their return, and thereafter in respect of acts and words spoken in connection with their electoral activities. The Government shall further ensure that all political leaders enjoy freedom from intimidation and threat in respect of any and all political activities relating to the election and, in particular, freedom of movement, assembly and speech as provided for under the Constitution and the electoral law, without discrimination.