PM Transcripts

-4j_, AUST2 UAL1A PRESS STATEMENT NO. 52
February 1973
" tINTELLIGENCE UNIT"
Mr. Whitlam sent the following letter today to Mr. Snedden
in reply to his telegram yesterday:
Dear Mr. Snedden,
I refer to your telegram concerning events subsequent to
and consequent on Mr. Brenchley's article in the " National
Times" on Sunday 11 February regarding ' top secret'
Australian electronics intelligence unit" in Singapore.
This article appears to have been in breach of a ' D'
Notice issued by the Menzies Government. In these
circumstances I would hesitate to discuss the " electronics
intelligence unit" publicly or on the record. Presumably
it was on this basis that you yourself quite properly
declined to answer questions about it at your press
conference yesterday.
Nevertheless, since reports of the " electronic intelligence
unit" have now been published, I feel at liberty to remind
you that the Gorton Government, of~ which you were a member,
decided that Singapore was an inappropriate place for these
activities to be conducted and that they should be
transferred to Australia. My Government is pressing on
with that decision. I would be happy, with my officers, to
refresh your memory on the decisions taken by previous
Liberal Governments and acquaint you with the present
situation. I received your telegram only this morning but know that
you released it to the press last night. Accordingly, I am
also releasing this letter to the press, with the exception
of the preceding paragraph. As for the detailed questions
you raised, you will agree, I am sure, that the conduct of my
relations with the press is for me and my staff to determine.
Yours sincerely,
E. G. Whitlam ( sgd.)