The Bush Administration says it will normalize relations with Vietnam only after a Cambodian settlement is signed and a new, elected Government takes office, which could take 18 months.

Mr. Shultz said the United States supported international supervision of a Cambodian settlement, but he did not elaborate.

A9 Ties between Moscow and Beijing seem to offer the most immediate hope for progress in forcing the lagging pace of negotiations on a Cambodian settlement.

When the latest conference attempting to arrange a Cambodian settlement broke up, the United States blamed Vietnam for insisting on using the word "genocide" in reference to recent history.

Mr. Baker wrote, "Without question, your leadership is crucial to achieving an acceptable Cambodian settlement."

All the factions are trying to control as much territory as possible before a new round of negotiations on a Cambodian settlement.

Mr. Redman said Mr. Shultz told the Prince that "he has a central role to play" in a Cambodian settlement.

Moscow has worked to promote a Cambodian settlement and has made overtures to both China and Japan.

They agreed to continue the discussion of the questions of the Cambodian settlement, among them those on which there are still differences between them.

The forces of Prince Sihanouk, whom the United States regards as the key figure in any comprehensive Cambodian settlement, continue to be reluctant to fight, diplomats say.