PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 8/ 19692' I. 1 3
MIDDLE EAST: MESSAGE TO UNITED NATIONS
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, said today
ftat on behalf of the Australian Government he had sent the following
message to the President of the Security Council and to the Secretary-
General of the United Nations:-" I wish to express the deep concern of
the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia at
the recent trials and mass public executions in Baghdad
which were contrary to the proper dictates of humanity.
The timing and manner of the hangings have been
condemned by peoples throughout the world including
some in other Arab countries.
" It is the sincere hope of my Government
that there will be no repetition of this spectacle which
was so repugnant to the conscience of mankind and which
can only exacerbate the situation in the Middle East and
increase the difficulties of securing the objective for
which we all are striving of a just and lasting peace. You
may be assured of our support for your efforts to avert a
repetition. A message from the Prime Minister was read by the
Speaker, Mr. Aston, at a rally arranged by the Executive Council
of Australian Jewry in the Sydney Town Hall this evening. The text
of the message is as follows:-" The Australian Government is most
concerned at the continued explosive situation in the
Middle East, and abhors the recent mass public
executions which, besides running counter to the world's
conscience, can only exacerbate this situation.
" We believe that all parties to the dispute
should, without delay, sit down around the conference
table and begin discussions aimed at restoring peace and
stability to the Middle East.
" Any such settlement must be formally
based on the acceptance of Israel as a sovereign nation
existing as of right, entitled to live and develop in
security, free of constant threat, posing no threat to its
neighbouring countries, and using for the good of all,
rights and opportunities so dearly bought.
CANBERRA 3 February 1969