3" II A1.1 A d PRESS STATEMENT
February 1973
PAPUA NEW GUINEA-INDONESIA
My visit to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia has achieved two
purposes. It has enabled me to renew my close personal contacts
with the leaders of Australia's nearest neighbours. It has
enabled me, for the first time since the election of the new
Government, to explain personally the new policies and directions
my Government will follow in its international relations, and to
hear the views of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on issues of mutual
concern. My visit was in keeping with the four basic commitments of an
Australian foreign policy which I enunciated in my policy speech.
These commitments are, firstly, to Australia's own securuty;
secondly, to a secure, stable and united Papua New Guinea; -Chirdly,
to develop closer relations with our nearest neighbour, Indonesia;
and fourthly, to promote the peace and prosperity of our
neighbourhood. In Papua New Guinea I emphasised Australia's determination
to see Papua New Guinea achieve independence within the life of the
present Australian Parliament. This determination is well understood
and widely accepted. Papua New Guinea's problems will not be removed
by delaying or fearing independence. They will only he removed by
embracing it.
The striking difference between Papua New Guinea now and two
or three years ago is that all parties now accept the inevitabili-.
of independence and are working actively towards it. Arguments zii: out
timing or method there may be, but arguments about aims and princpies
have disappeared. In Papua New Guinea the tide has turned, and it
has turned in favour of change. There can be no stopping this process
now. Australia has a continuing and enduring role to play in
assisting the progress and prosperity of Papua New Guinea. One of
the aims of my talks was to stress that Australia's commitment to
Papua New Guinea would last well beyond the achievement of
independence. We are needed in Papua New Guinea and will be neecdd
for a long time to come. We shall not fail the trust that the people
have placed in us.
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My other aim in Papua New Guinea was to stress the need
for national unity. I made it clear that a secure and prosperous
independent nation would be established only through the unity
of many different tribal, cultural, regional and linguistic
elements. Our aid will be channelled through a national gcvernment
in Port M~ oresby. Our dealings with Papua New Guinea will be
between the national Government in Canberra and the national
Government of a united, independent Papua New Guinea. There is
no future, there is no hope, in fragmentation and parochialism.
In Indonesia, I believe I established a closer personal
contact-with President Soeharto. It is of great importance that
the leaders of Australia and Indonesia should be on the friendliest
terms. I was touched by the President's warmth and hospitality.
I wanted to explain to President Soeharto the new more self-reliant
and independent Australian approach to its foreign relations and
assure him personally that these changes would not affect the
continuing process of strengthening Australia-Indonesian relations.
I was impressed by the great differences between Australia
and Indonesia. But our history and our geography have combined
to give our two countries the unique oppogrtujnity to_ bridge these
differe7_ nces. we have an exciting opportunity to set -an' e'xaipJe;
to see that two such different societies can form a constructive
and mutually advantageous relationship of cordiality and real
and lasting value.
I did not go to Indonesia with any blueprint or firm plans
for a future regiona. organisation. Australia has no wish to
impose her views on her friends and neighbours. I had frank and
useful discussions on the future of the Asian region with
President Soeharto and his ministers. I found that fundamentally
the Indonesian and Australian Governments have very simil. ar views
about the future of the Asian and Pacific region. I was gratified
that President Soeharto welcomed our interest in the evolution of
a more broadly based and representative regional forum. If such
a forum is achieved it will be through close and detailed
negotiations..-with Indonesia and all other interested nations in
the South-East Asia region.
CANBERRA, A. C. T.