NQ DATE
M4/ 45 26 February 1973
EMBARGOED for release until
1800 hours Canberra time,
Monday 26 February ' 973.
AUSTRALTIS RELATIONS WITH
NORTH VIET-NAM
I. The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr Whitlam, announced today that Australia and t-he Democratic
Renublic of Viet-Nam bad agreed to establish diplomatic relations.
The following is the text of the joint communique agreed
between the two Governments:-
" Desiring to develop friendly relations between
their two peoples, the Government of Australia
and the Government of the Democratic Republic
of Viet-Nam have decided upon reciprocal
recognition from 26 February 1973 and the
establishment of diplomatic relations between
their two countries at the level of Ambassador.
This communique will be published simultaneously
at Canberra and Hanoi on 26 February 1973. / 12
For the Government of Australia A. P. Renouf
For the Government of the Democratic
Republic of Viet-Nam Vo Van Sung"
Mr Whitlam said that, with respect to South Viet-Nam,
Australia continued to recognise the Government of the Republic
of Viet-Nam and did not intend to alter its diplomatic relations
with that Government, or its representation in Saigon.
Mr Whitlam added that a small team of Australian officialt
would travel to Hanoi in the near future to examine administrative
asnects of the establishment of an Embassy. " It is envisaged that
the Embassy itself will be onened shortly thereafter and that a
resident Australian Ambassador will be accredited later in the
year", Mr Whitlam said. A
I