PM Transcripts

7 ER'S 1
I J APR 1967
ASIAN TOUR 1967* LAOS I1R8 10 ' A
FAREWELL SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. HAROLD HOLT
AT VIENTIANiE AIRPORT 3RD APRIL, 1967
Prime Minister, Your Highnesses, You~ r Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
There is always a sadness when one parts from good
friends, and that is how Mrs. Holt and I and, I am sure, others
of my party are feeling this morning.
We came to Laos as a good friend of your country
but in the short time that we've been here wie have found it
sufficiently lone. to bave built some personal friendships
which we sincerely hope will endure.
We came to learn something of the problems of your
country and to meet your people and see them in their own
native land, and this to us has been a richly rewarding
experience iii knowledge and in a deeper understanding.
We fully appreciate, Prime M~ inister, the importance
to you and, indeed, to your friends around the world, of a
neutrality which will be faithfully observed by other countries.
We hope that countries of good will, whatever their
general political character may be, will join in the efforts
to which Australia will gladly subscribe in promoting the
security, the peace, the progress and the prosperity of the
people of Laos. I look foraiard to welcoming you and Her Highness
to Australia, I hope perhaps even later this year, when you
can find it convenient to come and visit us. It will give
my countrymen great pleasure to join in the expression I now
give you of good will from the Australian people. May Laos
long endure in peace, w--ith progress and prosperity and security
for its people.