I. M. No. 38/ 1966
VISIT TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Statement by the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr'. Harold Holt
on his arrival in Singapore
I am at the beginnin7 of a short 7isit to
South-East Asian countries which will take me in the coming days
to Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia ( includinr a visit to Kuchin*
in Sarawak) and Sinpapore. At this time J am in Singapore
purely in transit, but I shall be meetina Singapore Ministers
for discussions at a later stage in my tour.
My visit is designed to take me to those
South-East Asian countries where Australian forces are serving.
Australia has now and immediately in prospect some 8,000
servicemen in the region. Australian forces are involved in the
defence of these c~ untries under arrangements based on mutual
understandin7 and partnership. We are determined to be a Rood
ally. I shall be explaining to the GQvernments in the region
the active steps which Australia is taking to expand its defence
effort and to shape it for the requirements of collective regional
security. We have taken part in the defence of Singapore
and Malaysia for many years and are proud to have made a
contribution to the preservation of security and stability in
this region. Our forces are now oammitted in a combat role in
Viet Nam, at the request ef the Government of the Republic of
Viet Nam, in assisting the Vietnamese people in their struggle
to defend their national independence aqainst communist aggression.
This awression in the Puise of " a war of national liberation"
or " people's war" is being relentlessly waoed through techniques
of infiltration, terror, subversion and direct military attack.
My visit will not be confined to the immediate
military and security problems, important as they are. I hope
to have discussions with Governments about what Australia can do
to assist in the achievement of social progress and economic
development. The Australian Government wishes to ensure that
the role we play in the fields of economic development, technical
assistance, education and in developing the skills of the region,
is vigorous and prcductive. Australia, of course, is already
closely enap-ed in these matters through the Colombo Plan,
ECAFE, the new Asian Development Bank mand in other ways. / 2
2.
Recent years have seen Australia and most of the
countries of South and South East Asia come much closer together
undcr the pressure of events. This has been accompanied by a
marked growth of understanding, mutual confidence and respect.
It emerges clearly from our political and diplomatic relationships
that, despite the separateness of our histories and of our
cultural backTrounds, our national aims and external attitudes
are very similar indeed respect for national independence,
pear--and stability, economic development, widening opportunities
and conditions of freedom.
This is my first visit abroad as the Prime Minister of
Australia. I am 4lad that it is being made to the region of
South-East Asia where we believe that we have with friendly
neighbours a stron. sense of common interest and mutuality of
purpose. SINGAPORE, 21 April, 1966.