PM Transcripts

-8JUNj
QS8RAVO
FOR PRESS I21.10 . 57/ 1967
" Tl T-IY7, IVT 3Y T ' E ACTII7PRIM!. E MiIT
B. JOHF1 M~ cE
The Actin-, Prime Minister, Vr. MlcEwen, said that he
had called a Cabinel meeting in vie,;. ' of. developments in the M, 1iddle
East, which Aus-traliai, in common .7ith all other* likeminded cm) ntries,
viewed with deep -ind -r,' iiin-, concern.
he1* d r. 1-cI'., en said thaIt, in vie, of the developinx tensions,
he -adthought it essential that Cbinet M'inisters shouil not only
oe kept informed of all that wa. s know,, n of the situa-) tion bUt shoulda
ha-. ve -in opportunity to consult.
Mr. Mvc.' wen said th-at he h . d ueen keeping in close touch
with the Prime Minister, w-ho h; a's himself had thje idvanta'e of
discussin.-) this with President Johnson -ind Secretary of tate Rusk.
Mr. Holt also hid anu e-arly opportunity of communicattion with Mr.
Harold ' Jilson, the 3ritish rime Mlinister.
Mr. McEwen saiid th-It he was sure it would be expected
of the Austr-ili-: n -Thvernment thA it should join wi th others in
evHery ittempt to qvoid tensions in t'he Middle Eist developing into
conflict ue t . ieen the arties confrontin::, each other ther i.
Mr. IvcE . en said tha-t I reait principles a-ffecting the
freedom of passcie over mercantile saa laines were -A issue aind
this was of crit'ical import-ince to Ire A intern.-tional traing
nations. A".. so involved wa--s the right of independent member states
of the United . latons to a-secure, O peacfl ex; 3ene
Hle sfaid th.-t, on the question of the olockg-de of the JTulf
of Agaua, a'Ith-oritaitive st. Aements by the Minister for External
Affarlls Ave falrea. dy oeen made renresentinZ the view stron fly held
by the AIustraIli,-n JTovernment thit thle Stra-iits of Tir. In musl oe
re'-rded : in internationail waterwty through w., hich vessels of all
ntAions haive a right of pa'-ssagie.
21 CD JUTh', E 1967.