PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: PM. No. 75/ 1972
INTENDED VISIT TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon
William 1" cMahon, C. H. M. P.
The Prime Minister announced today that it would not now
be possible for him to visit PaDua New Guinea as planned later
this week. He said he was deeply disappointed that circumstances in
Australia had made this change of plans necessary and expressed
the hope that it would be possible to visit Papua New Guinea at a
later date. The Prime Minister said he had been looking forward to his
discussions with the chief Minister and the new Ministry and to
the opportunities which the visit would have provided to meet
PGauoiunaea . New Guineans as well as Australians serving in PaDua New
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all those
who had been prepared for his visit and said he was sorry it
would not now be possiblei to undetake the interesting programme
that had been planned for him and Mrs. McMahon or to meet with
the many people involved.
The Prime Minister said he had spoken personally to the
chief Minister Mr. Michael Somare, and had expressed his regret
to him and through him to the people of Papua New Guinea.
CANBERRA, 31 July, 1972.