PRESS BRIEFING GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR HAROLD
HOLT, FOR THE HEADS CF BUREAUX IN THE PARLIAMENTARY
PRESS GALLERY AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA. 6TH OCTOBER. 1966.
MR HCLT: Well, yentlemen,, I think you have had confirmation
or at least the announcement about the dates for this Manila Conference being
now the 24th and As you are aware, the later dates proposed proved
highly inconvenient for both Mr Holyoake and myself and I am very appreciative
of the fact that the views which we put on this matter had the effect of brin. g-ing
the date of the Conference back to a more manageable point from our view.
Mr Holyoake was, I thinkc, in even more difficulty than I over the matter in
that his election campaign begins, I understand, a week before ours here in
Australia. In addition to that, I am very glad to be able to announce
that President Johnson will be making a visit to Australia on his way to Manila.
The likely dates of tne visit are 2uith October to 22nd October that is Thursday
to the Saturday. Exact times have not yet been worked out and will be affected
by the detailed travel arran.-ements that he makes, and the probability that he
will be making a short visit to New Zealand on his way here.
But this visit to Australia was, as you know, urged by
me. I renewed the invitation to L-e President when I saw him earlier in the
year, and when it became clear that he would be in this general neighbourhood,
then H pressed our request the more strongly. I am sure it is very gratifying
to Australians generally to learn that he has now found it possible to include
such a visit in his itinerary. I am sure it will be a most valuable visit from
our point of view, and in a sense it will be an historic visit as this will be. the
first occasion in Australian history that an American President in his period
of office has made a visit to this country. We have had two visits by Vice
Presidents, and several, of course, by Secretaries of State but this visit will
be unique in our experience and all the more welcome on that account.
I can't give you any details as yet as to the programme.
Not only will we need to clear that with the President but I shall obviously have
to examine the possibilities open to him while he is here and make suggestions
for consideration which will be designed to see that his time with us is employed
to the most effective degree, at the same time taking into account his own
wishes. I know, for example, that he would hope to renew his acquaintance
with Melbourne where he spent so many happy hours while he was here during
the way years, and I could hardly imagine him visiting Melbourne and there
would be something of a riot in the land without him including Sydney also in
the it!. nerary. Whether it will be possible to extend beyond those possibilities
I don't know taking into account, of course, the fact that it would almost
certainly be felt appropriate that there should be a Parliamentary function here
in Canberra. Parliament will be in session still, at that time, and this would
be a most appropriate way of giving a formal recognition and tribute in the
courSe of the visit. Will he be staying at Government House?
MR HOLT: He may have a personal wish to stay at the Embassy so
I can't say at this point of time. I may say that all this has only been cleared
up quite recently. / 2
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When did you know definitely that he was coming?
MR HOL. Well, I thought it was highly likely yesterday, but right
from the outset I have been hopeful that this could be arranged. At first
it appeared that this would have to be done after the conference, but when
the conference was postponed, I pointed out that both in New Zealand and
Australia we were getting very close to the opening of an election campaign
and I thought it was not desirable in those circumstances that the visit should
come following the conference. It was preferable that it should take place
before. I am glad it was possible to take this consideration fully into account.
Is there a possibility, Mr Prime Minister, that the President
might open North-West Cape?
MR HLT'.( Laughing) I think geography has a say in a matter of that
sort. There ate some complications that we have to sort out. For example,
I understand that Sir Henry Bolte is opening the refinery at Westernport on the
Friday, and there is a Civic Dinner for me in the Melbourne Town Hall that
night. So there are all sorts of adjustments which several of us will need to
make in our pro-grammes if the maximum value is to be derived from the visit.
C. You spoke of a Parliamentary function, Sir. Do you envisage
the President addressing a joint meeting or a banquet, a State Banquet?
MR HOLT: Well, I would have thought as on certain other occasions
when notable people have visited us we might have a Parliamentary function,
either a L. icheon or a Dinner, at which speeches of welcome could be made,
and in this case the President reply.
Q. Sir, is Mr. Rusk coming as well?
MR HOLT; I think that's h~ ghi.,' Jikely,. yes. ; To 4he best of my knowledge
he will be in the party. Is the visit being announced from Washington, Prime Minister?
MR HOLT: Yes, but I think a little later than here.
Q Would you invite the State Premiers to any Parliamentary
function
MR HOLT: I would like to, more particularly as it is likely there will
be several States he won't be able to visit.
Do you expect Mr McNamara to be with him too?
MR HOLT: Well, I haven't got any detail of the composition of his own
delegation, and I think I should leave that for him to announce. We have yet
to work out fully our own, but I hope to do some work on that tonight.
C. Will Mr Calwell have a chance of speaking with the President
while he is in Canberra or while he is in Australia?
MR HOLT Well, I think that is a matter to which the American
Ambassador would need to give some attention. Certainly we would put no
obstruction in Mr Calwell's way.
C. He will be coming to Canberra first, will he Sir?
MR HOLT: I think that is likely, but again, he will be in his own
plane and we'll need to work out a programme which fits in with his travel
times of the flight from New Zealand to here whether some period of rest / 3
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is desired before he embarks on official talks or functions. These things will
all have to be sorted out.
Q. You don't think the timing of the visit, Mr Prime Minister,
will involve the President in Australian political matters?
MR HOLT: Not at that point of time. Well, the political season never
closes, in my experience, in this country! There are certainly no political
motives behind the visit. It is a visit of goodwell, and I think illustrates the
regard in which he holds Australia.
Q You seem elated about the visit
MR HCLT: Well, it is an historic visit and I am glad to have played
some part in adding this particular chapter to the Australian story. But
quite apart from that, I do see considerable value in the visit. I think it
will focus a good deal of world attention on the interest which the President
has been displaying quite clearly now for some time in the problems of
Asia. There is a very interesting speech, incidentally, on that, and the
Asian situation generally, which I recommend the specialists amongst you
to study in this last issue of the US News and World Report. This was the
text of the speech by President Marcos to the Congress recently. Those of
you who have been following what I said earlier in the year on some of
these Asian matters will be interested, I think, to see how closely the views
of the President of the Philippines worked out in relation to those which I
expressed earlier.
Q. Sir, will the people of Sydney and Melbourne have every
opportunity to see the President by way of open-car parades or something?
MR HCL'r: Well, having brought him here, we don't want to keep him
on ice somewhere. We would most certainly hope that there would be
opportunities for him to see and be seen by as many Australians who find
themselves able to take advantage of the visit. But we can't say at this
point of time just what the programme is, but it certainly is not going to be
designed as a programme confined to officialdom or to Parliamentarians.
Q. Mrs Johnson is she coming too?
MR HOLT: I have no firm confirmation on that. I am still hoping
thiat she will be. What about the " gals"? Are they coming?
MR HOLT: V13ll, they will be very welcome ( Laughter) and we have
made that clear. But, again, I will be able to fill you in on quite a few of
these details later on
Q. Are you despatching a senior officer of your Department
to the United States forthwith to discuss the detailed arrangements?
MR HOLT: V-ell, Waller, our Ambassador in Vjae-hington is right
on top of this. In fact, we would probably bring WV; aller out here after
there has been further discussion on the details. We have got thorougkay.
adequate staff there, and, of course, Mr Hasluck is currently in New York.
Q. What about the security arrangements? These would be
fairly substantial.
MR HOLT: I have no doubt. And I am expecting a minor invasion
of gentlement of the Press! Not merely of the United States Press, but
I would think this would attract the interest of Asian Press as well. But,
again, you are asking me abou ponso etail which have not been . reablved.