PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

McMahon, William

Period of Service: 10/03/1971 - 05/12/1972
Release Date:
09/06/1972
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2617
Document:
00002617.pdf 1 Page(s)
Released by:
  • McMahon, William
FIVE POWER ARRANGEMENT - STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT HON WILLIA, MCMAHON CH MP

PRIME MINISTER
FOR~ PRESS: 1-L-s N'o 50/ 1972
FIVE POWER , RRMG!',' 1F-,. T
Statemen-t by tho P'rime Minister, Thie Rt
William M& khnC71 -p.
I have read some pross reports originating from a -television
proctramme in Australia, to , z cffect that I considzr that the
exitene o a r-ten Fivze Powuer Trra-ngement was no' really necessary.
0I want to make-it clear that 7Australian -Government
considers the Five Power Ara; mnswith Singauorc, lialaysia, Neo-,
Zealan the United Kin( d~ ar fgetiprtance.
For their substance thanv n~ ce ssarily rely on the sense of
mutual intercst of the five. countries concernfz-d and their goodwill and
trust towards each oth-er.
The cxistence of a ' 7. ritt,-: n instrument iT, a n ce,. ssary framework
11-o ncrmit the nractical iction to arrang( c rining and disoosition
of forces and co-oporpation rumoncq those forces and wit:-i the
governrrnonts. In Djakarta Yyoste rdaay, 1 rake some remarks -about pacts in
generial the contoxt of thv , ruestion, put to mo by an intervie-wer
as to J~ te eshouldl have P. oact wit1-h Ind3onesia. I aoin-Led out
tlhat then historical backgrouncd1 t'-o Australian-Indon.>. ian bilateral
rel. aticens was entirely different from tho long standi. n. j co-operation
in elefence matters w-1iich ha.-e xisted-ith Mal-aysia and Sincta~ oe
S sii1also made th: e ' joint tha-z4t what is vital in any relationship
istlietotality of it and that Pacts and agreaemsents are less
irt-nrtntthan the goodwill. and mutual trust on wich they miust be
based if are to be offect--ve-.
Canberra 9 June 1972.

2617