VISIT TO THE U. S. 1968
WASHINGTON
JOINT COMMUNIQUE.
ISSUED BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND
PRIME MINISTER GORTON 28 MAY 1968
At the invitation of President Lyndon B. Johnson of the
United States, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Gorton, Prime Minister of Australia,
paid an official visit to Washington on 27 and 28 May. This was Prime
Minister Gorton's first visit to the United States since assuming office.
It afforded the President and the Prime Minister an opportunity to exchange
views on matters of mutual concern, including the situation in South East
Asia. Australia-U. S. Relations
The President and the Prime Minister reviewed the current
state of Australia-U. S. relations. They expressed profound satisfaction
that the historic partnership between their two countries was continuing to
deepen and grow in significance for the security and progress of the Pacific
region. They re-aff irmed specifically the importance of the ANZUS Treaty
as an expression of the United States' continuing strategic interest in the
region and the continuing co-operation of the two Governments in the
maintenance of stability and security in Asia and the Pacific.
The Prime Minister and the President expressed their
gratification with the existing scientific co-operation between the two
countries. Such co-operation has advanced the state of science not only
to the benefit of both countries but to mankind generally. They agreed
that the special assistant to the President for science and technology and
a team of leading United States' scientists would visit Australia soon to
meet with the Australian Minister for Education and Science and his
colleagues, to identify additional areas appropriate for co-operative
activities and explore ways in which the close co-operation between the
American and Australian scientific communities could be broadened and
extended. Stressing the importance of the soundness of the dollar to
the maintenance of prosperous international economic conditions, the
Prime Minister reiterated his full support for the President's programme
to reduce the United States' balance of payments deficit. The President
assured the Prime Minister that the United States would strive to avoid
undesirable effects on Australia or other nations of measures taken under
the programme.
Vietnam The President and the Prime Minister reviewed in detail the
situation in South Vietnam, where Australian and American forces are
fighting side by side to assure.-the right of the Vietnamese people to
determine their own destiny free of outside interference. They agreed
that the establishment of a just and viable peace called both for a strong
military posture and for intensive diplomatic efforts. / 2
2.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratification that the
President's initiative of 31 March had led to conversations with North
Vietnamese representatives. The President reviewed in detail the progress
of these talks to date. He re-affirmed that the United States Government
would continue to consult fully with the Australian Government and other
allies as the talks proceed. They agreed that the allied nations which
have helped to defend the Republic of Vietnam should participate in any
settlement of the conflict.
At the invitation of the President, the Prime Minister joined
him this morning at his meeting with Mr. Cyrus Vance, who returned from
Paris last night. Mr. Vance reported to the President and the Prime
Minister on the course of the discussions in Paris with the representatives
from North Vietnam. The President expressed particular appreciation for the
warm hospitality which the Australian people have extended to American
servicemen on leave from Vietnam.
Pacific Regional Co-operation
The President and the Prime Minister reviewed the
favourable trends in regional co-operation in the Pacific area which had
been noted at the ANZUS and SEATO Council meetings in April 1968.
They expressed satisfaction that, despite communist expansionism, many
constructive forces are promoting social and economic development in
the area. They re-affirmed a hope that the impressive growth of regional
groupfngs in Asia would continue, and expressed willingness to assist in
every appropriate and feasible way.
The President and Prime Minister recognized that the
United Kingdom's decision to accelerate withdrawal of its military forces
from South East Asia increased the need for regional consultation and
co-operation in the security field. The President welcomed Australia's
interest in the area, and assured the Prime Minister of his keen interest
in the progress of the consultations and in the outcome of the forthcoming
Five Power Conference in Kuala Lumpur.