PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: 31 AUG1967 FM. No. 25/ lc7
REVIE.. COF STRIP T3GY IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
The Cabinet Committee on Foreign Affairs and
Defence today continued : ts comprehensive review of Australia's future
policy and strategic role " n South-East Asia.
The main elements of the review are the ' mplicati ons
for Australian defence policy of the British plans for withdrawal from
East of Suez and the Australian contribution in Viet Nam.
Today's discussions were of a preliminary nature
and did not nvolve the taking of any specific decisions. The implications
of the British decision require a fundamental reappraisal of our role
in South-East Asia. They are extremely complex and will require
considerable time to work out. As well as studying these for ourselves,
we intend to talk to other governments about them.
There are certain short-term aspects arising from
Britain's plans. These are mainly of a logistic or other technical nature,
and have already been under discussion at the Service level. But the main
implications are longer term.
A number of more immediate matters were also
reviewed today, including the state of the Vietnam war, which remains the
most immediate and urgent defence preoccupation of the Government.
The meeting considered the assessments given by the American envoys,
Mr Clark Clifford and General Taylor.
Present at today's meeting were members of the
Cabinet's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Service Ministers and
the Defence Committee. Other meetings will1 be held as necessary.
CANBERRA, August, 19c7.
BACKGRCUND NOTE The Defence Committee referred to -n the last
paragraph ( in addition to the Cabinet Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee',
comprises the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the three Service
chiefs, and the Secretaries of the Frime Minister's, External Affairs and
Defence Departments, and the Treasury.