PM Transcripts

VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA 1968
DJAKARTA
ARRIVAL STATEMENT MADE BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
MR. JCHN GORTON 13 JUNE 1968
I am happy to have this opportunity to visit the Republic of
Indonesia on my first trip to South East Asia since becoming Prime Minister
of Australia. My wife and I have been greatly looking forward to this visit
and are grateful to the Government of Indonesia for its kind invitation.
Although the association between our two countries is short
when measured in terms of history, dating only from your independence
Iit has been an association which has laid a foundation of friendship
and co-operation. We in Australia, contiguous to Asia and part of the Asian
and Pacific region, look to the forging of an enduring relationship with our
closest South East Asian neighbour, We in Australia are deeply aware of
the new world of independent nations in this region. It is in this region we
feel that in friendly co-operation with our neighbours we can make our
contribution to stability and progress.
As a friend and neighbour, Australia has enjoyed fruitful
relationships with Indonesia in fields of practical co-operation. Your Stutsr
have attended our universities and technical institutions and Australians
have worked alongside Indonesians on projects ranging from road building
in East Nusa Tenggara to the installation of an aerial communicat ions network
spanning the vast area of the Archipelago of the Republic. Our firm support
of your present rehabilitation programme is assured.
I am looking forward to discussions with your President and
his Ministers on the many matters of mutual interest. It is my hope that
our two Governments will expand their areas of co-operation in the future
and that the range of personal and cultural contacts between our people will
widen over the coming years.
I hope also during this visit to see more of your country and
people. My wife, who stayed in your country for a period of six weeks in
1966, has insisted that I see something of the natural beauty of Indonesia
and experience the warmth and hospitality of the Indonesian people. This
we will do. After my period of official meetings and discussions here in
Djakarta, we are also going to visit Bandung and Bali.