FOR PRESS PM 4/ 65
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER
The Acting Prime Minister, Mr. John McEwen, announced in
Canberra tonight that the Cabinet had made a wide-ranging review of
current developments in Malaysia and South Vietnam with particular
reference to Australian obligations in the South-East Asian area.
Mr. McEwen said that Ministers had over recent weeks been
giving constant attention to information flowing to them on South
Vietnam and on both the military and diplomatic aspects of Indonesia's~
confrontation with Malaysia, including the latest information on the
views of the Malaysian and British Governments about the continuing
threats from Indonesia and the steps being taken to meet them.
The Minister for Defence, Senator Paltridge, during his
visit to South-East Asia and the United States, would personally
assess the position at first hand and would report back to the
Australian Government. The Minister's report would cover possible
future courses of action having regard to Australia's over-all
commitments to the security of the area.
" The recent Indonesian decision to withdraw from the United
Nations and new Indonesian military activities in support of their
policy of ' confrontation' have heightened tension between Indonesia
and Malaysia," Mr. McEwen said. " The latest Indonesian military
activities included noticeable building-up of Indonesian forces on
the Borneo border. These developments had led to the recent deployment
of additional British and Malaysian forces."
Mr. McEwen expressed disappointment that Indonesia is
persisting in this policy of military ' confrontation'. The
Australian Government continued to hope for changes in Indonesian
policy which would allow peace, security and prosperity to be
established in the area. " However, the Government is quite clear
as to its obligations to Malaysia, a free and independent nation
and a fellow member of the Commonwealth, and is firm in respect ef
its responsibilities," the Ac11ting Prime Minister said.
On Vietnam, Cabinet had before it reports from its
diplomatic representatives and the views of the American Government.
" The Australian Government is concerned that the South Vietnamese
leaders resolve their domestic differences in the overriding
interests of the security of South Vietnam and indeed South-East
Aisia," Mr. McEwen said.
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2.
Ministers expressed appreciation on behalf of the
Australian people of the efforts of the United States Government
to assist the people of South Vietnam to build a free and stable
society and to defend themselves against Communist aggression.
This was in keeping with the resolution of the United States Congress
of 6th A ugust which included the statement that " The United States
regards as vital to its national interests and to world peace the
maintenance of international peace and security in South-East Alsia%'
Mr. McEwen said the Piustralian Government had obligations
under SEATO to South Vietnam. Australia has provided military and
civil assistance to South Vietnam, including a training team of
Army instructors, and a detachment of the It is in close
consultation with the Vietnamese and U. S. Governments about further
assistance. Canberra, 18th January, 1965.