Questions involving Cambodian sovereignty should be resolved with the agreement of the Cambodian parties.

"A comprehensive settlement agreement is now within reach," he said, "if the Cambodian parties and others - including Vietnam - will cooperate."

It also urged the Cambodian parties to demobilise their military forces before the elections.

The Vietnamese want an end to foreign military aid to the combatants whether or not the Cambodian parties themselves can agree on a power-sharing government.

In these matters I will support any agreement among the Cambodian parties.

"But, of course," he added, "it can be implemented only if the Cambodian parties accept."

Diplomatic officials added that no meeting with the Cambodian parties would be scheduled until the warring groups were closer to agreement among themselves.

He said Vietnam would support any settlement that all Cambodian parties could agree upon.

The Clinton Administration today called on the United Nations and the other Cambodian parties to push ahead with their elections plans.

Cambodia was represented by the four Cambodian parties.