PM Transcripts

NQ DATE
M/ 4 13 December 1972
CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNITED NATION'S FUNDS FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr E. G. Whitlam, today announced
that Australia will contribute $ 10,000 to the United Nations Educational
and Training Programme for Southern Africa, and $ 5,000 each to the United
Nations Trust Fund for South Africa and the United Nations Fund for Namibia.
Mr Whitlam said this was the first time Australia had contributed
to these Funds, which were established to assist the educational development
and other aspirations of the people of Southern Africa.
Mr Whitlam said he had long felt that Australia should assist the
people of Southern Africa by taking an active role in United Nations activities
undertaken on their behalf and by making financial contributions to the Funds
established for this purpose.
Mr Thitlam. said that Australia would be one of the first countries
to make a contribution to the United Nations Fund for Namibia, which was
established in December 1970. This Fund was established to support a
programme designed to help Namibians prepare for independence.
The United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa was established in
December 1965. Grants made by the Fund are used to provide legal assistance
to persons prosecuted under the discriminatory legislation of South Africa,
relief and education to such persons and their dependents and relief for
refugees from South Africa. The United Nations Educational and Training
Programme for Southern Africa was established in December 1967.