Yugoslavia Speech by the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Mr Dzemal Bijedic, at a
dinner in honour of the Prime Minister of Australia in Belgrade on
9 January 1975
It gives me particular pleasure to have this opportunity
to greet in our midst, on behalf of the
Government and the peoples of Yugoslavia, and
in my own, the highly prominent statesman and
Prime Minister of friendly Australia, His Excellency
Mr Edward Gough Whitlam, Mrs Whitlam
and the distinguished members of his party,
and to wish them a sincere welcome and an enjoyable
stay in our country. We will endeavour,
at least partly, to reciprocate the hospitality extended
me and my associates during our visit to
the beautiful country of Australia.
I am confident that I also share your views in
saying, Mr Prime Minister, that our relations
have been developing ever more successfully
during the past years and that your visit will encourage
their further promotion, enrichment
with new forms and substance and extension to
new fields. We wish such a development of
relations and we will, on our part, exert efforts in
that direction. Yugoslavia has consistently
adhered to its policy of co-operation with all
states on the basis of respect for independence,
sovereignty, non-interference and mutual
interests. We are convinced that along these
bases it is possible to develop diversified and
long-term co-operation between our two
countries.
Your visit is taking place at a time when in many
quarters of the world, despite substantive
results achieved in the sphere of the policy of
relaxation of tensions and negotiation, the situation
is becoming more complicated, and is
seriously deteriorating. The danger of a new
outbreak of conflict in the Middle East is
imminent due to the persistent aggressive and
expansionist policy pursued by Israel, which constitutes a direct dramatic challenge to world
peace. For this reason it is vital for the international
community to exert efforts, as a matter
of utmost urgency, towards having the crisis in
the Middle East resolved on the basis of the sole
possible premises which, for that matter, have
been widely accepted: Israel's withdrawal from
all the occupied Arab territories and the full realisation
of the legitimate national rights of the
Arab people of Palestine, including the right to
establish a state of their own, a right enjoyed by
all the peoples in the world. In fact, this right has
received broad support during the past session
of the United Nations General Assembly. This is
the only possible way to achieve peace in this
part of the world on just and lasting foundations
and to ensure independence and security of all
the peoples and countries in the region.
As regards the Cyprus crisis, we are of the
opinion that the implementation of the resolution
of the United Nations-which was supported
by all member states of the United
Nations-constitutes the only basis for finding a
durable settlement acceptable to both ethnic
communities. The slow progress in solving the
Cyprus crisis and its persistence constitutes a
source of danger both for Cyprus proper and for
peace in the broader area.
In Viet-Nam, the Paris Agreements continue to
be violated by the Saigon regime. It is in the
interest of stability and peace to secure full and
strict implementation of the provisions of the
Paris Agreements and respect for the right of
the people of Viet-Nam to decide their own
future in sovereignty, freedom and independence.
In the present-day ever more complex and
increasingly uncertain international situation,
the co-operation of all forces of progress, peace
and liberation is vital so as to consolidate and
render international relations more democratic,
to resolve outstanding international issues and
obtaining crises by giving substance to the
legitimate aspirations of all peoples toward freedom,
independence and establishment of equitable
international co-operation. It is only on
such premises that a durable and just peace for
all countries and peoples can be reached. The
non-aligned countries which, in co-operation
with other developing countries, have rendered
an invaluable contribution to such a development,
are willing to co-operate with all countries
and with all forces having identical goals.
The world-wide easing of tensions in specific
spheres of international relations is in the
interest of all countries. Detente, however, in
order to evolve into a world process and lead to a
genuine peace, must extend to all parts of the
world. Likewise, it is essential that all countries
should participate on an equal footing in the
resolution of international problems.
Mr Prime Minister, the special session of the
General Assembly of the United Nations has
demonstrated the necessity for establishing a
new economic order and equitable economic
relations in the world. The prevailing situation
clearly indicates the untenability of existing
economic relations in the world based on exploitation
of the majority of mankind, on
inequity and privileges of the developed countries.
All this testifies to the indispensability of
essential changes in the existing system along
the lines accepted by the entire international
community. The non-aligned and the developing
countries have offered a constructive program
pledging necessary changes while
respecting the interests of all countries and taking
into account the growing interdependence
in the world. Regrettably, all international factors
have not accepted the outstretched hand
and are attempting to preserve obsolete relations
and existing privileges through imposition
and confrontation.
We are following with keenest attention the activity
of your country and your personal endeavours
on the international scene. Yugoslavia
highly appreciates the constructive role which Australia is playing in the efforts to achieve assertion
of the principles of equitable cooperation,
and your contribution to the constructive
approach in dealing with international
problems, by recognising the new realities in
the world and the necessity of its continuous
change. We feel that these are sound bases for
our co-operation.
Dear Friend, the large number of Yugoslav emigrants
living in Australia, represents a special
link between Yugoslavia and Australia. They
have found in your country a home away from
home and, as loyal citizens of Australia, by
working diligently, are making their contribution
to its development and prosperity.
During our visit to Australia we were able to see
for ourselves that their work and role are held in
high esteem in Australian society, as well as
their contribution to the promotion of friendly
relations between our two countries.
It is no secret, however, that there are also extremist
elements who oppose such cooperation.
I take this opportunity to reiterate
that the Government of Yugoslavia values the
efforts by the Australian side which have been
made towards curbing fascist-terrorist activities
of small groups and individuals in the Australian
territory. We hope that these efforts will continue
and that they will be intensified as this terrorism
is directed not only against Yugoslavia,
but also against Yugoslav-Australian friendly
co-operation and all the democratic forces in
the world. As an expression of the past it constitutes
a vestige of the fascist forces which had
been condemned by the international community
and whose activity is a subject matter
being dealt with by the United Nations. Turning
ourselves towards the future, it is our wish to
build new bridges so that our mutual cooperation
may become even closer. I wish particularly
to emphasise that our migrants should
be a link of friendship and co-operation between
our countries. Our bilateral relations are
becoming increasingly comprehensive. However,
there still exist numerous unexploited
possibilities for their further and more meaningful
expansion both in the sphere of political and
scientific-technical and cultural co-operation.
In particular, in the economic co-operation
which is lagging far behind the real possibilities.
In the prevailing conditions of an ever greater
interlinking in the world, every constructive and
fruitful co-operation between countries,
regardless of how distant they may be, constitutes
a positive and effective contribution to the
improvement of overall international relations.
Speech by the Prime Minister of Australia at a dinner given in his
honour by the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia in Belgrade on
9 January 197
It gives me great satisfaction to come to
Yugoslavia and reciprocate the historic visit
which you, Mr Prime Minister, paid to Australia
in March 1 973. Your visit was the first to
Australia by a Prime Minister of Yugoslavia:
mine is the first by an Australian Prime Minister
to your country. Yet sixty years have passed
since our soldiers first fought together in World
War 1. Australia's involvement in the Balkans
led to one of the most significant military actions
in our history. Australians admire the proud tra
ditions of independence of the Yugoslav
peoples. We admire the heroism with which
you resisted great power domination in the First
World War and fascist aggression in the Second.
We admire the determination with which
you have continued to assert your independence
under the leadership of President Tito. I
salute your President as one of the outstanding
statesmen of our time-the builder, the inspira
tion, not only of a nation, but of a great world
movement for peace and human brotherhood.
Under his guidance, your country has become
an authentic symbol of the hopes of millions of
people in the developing world for peace,
progress and independence.
When my Government took office in December
1 972, it was faced with a world in which dramatic
changes in international relationships had
created not only new complexities in international
affairs, but also new opportunities and
challenges. At that time I stated: The change of
government provides a new opportunity for us
to reassess the whole range of Australian
foreign policies and attitudes. our thinking is
towards a more independent Australian stance
in international affairs and towards an Australia
which will be less militarily oriented and not
open to suggestions of racism: an Australia
which will enjoy a growing standing as a distinctive,
tolerant, co-operative and wellregarded
nation not only in the Asian and
Pacific region but in the world at large.
The basis of Australian policy remains the com mitment to independence, to the right of all
countries to manage their affairs in their own
way, without interference. It is because of this
commitment that Australia, while maintaining
its traditional friendships, has recognised the
need to develop its own contacts with all countries,
regardless of their political systems, and
take account of their views in formulating its
own policies. Independence does not mean the
assertion of purely national self-interest. In our
increasingly complex and interdependent
world, no state can seek to impose its own views
on others. With the right to independence and
equality goes the duty of international cooperation,
the duty to strive for the removal of
the causes of tension and conflict in all fields
and in all regions.
Perhaps no country has supported and practised
these principles more than Yugoslavia.
You have made an outstanding contribution to
international co-operation both in the United
Nations and elsewhere. Indeed there can be few
countries which, in their national Constitutions,
have committed themselves so firmly to the
principles of the United Nations Charter.
Yugoslavia's approach in international relations
seems to be best manifested in its commitment
to non-alignment, a concept which embodies
the principles of independence and international
co-operation: a concept which President
Tito was instrumental in formulating and in
which he remains the dynamic force.
There are encouraging signs that the world,
community is beginning to work for global solutions
to the problems of poverty, hunger,
economic deprivation and the threat of war. The
United Nations Sixth Special Session and the
World Food Conference demonstrated a
renewed international commitment to the problems
of the disadvantaged. This impetus
towards international co-operation, this retreat
from isolationism, must be sustained. Too often
in the past, opportunities for peaceful development
have been passed over by the inter-
national community. We have failed to grasp
opportunities to set the world on the path to
peace: We have failed to eliminate the threat of
war: we have failed to regulate the development
and proliferation of the instruments of war. The
threat posed by the production and proliferation
of nuclear weapons is the most awesome ever
posed to the future of mankind. The development
of measures to eliminate the threat of
nuclear war is therefore the most pressing issue
which confronts us.
The issues which symbolise the change in Australian
foreign policy under my Governmentand
the increasing similarity of approach between
Australia and Yugoslavia-are
colonialism and racism. It is my conviction that
the most significant historical trend since the
Second World War has been the struggle to end
imperialism, colonialism and racial discrimination.
One of my first actions after coming to
power was to instruct our representatives at the
United Nations to add Australia's voice to the
international condemnation of colonialism and
racism. We have supported all actions in the
United Nations against the illegal racist regime
in Rhodesia and against the infamous policy of
apartheid. Recently Australia voted in the
Security Council for the expulsion of South
Africa from the United Nations for its twentyeight-
year-long flouting of the most basic principles
of the Charter: we have joined the United
Nations Council on Namibia: reactivated our
membership of the United Nations Committee
of Twenty-four: and are providing assistance to
subject peoples in their fight for liberation.
In pursuing more independent policies, my
Government has sought to identify the common
interests which Australia shares with a broad
range of countries. Australia straddles many of
the categories which are often used to distinguish
countries-namely, the developed
from the developing, the rich from the poor, the
second from the third world, the producers from
the consumers, the aligned from the nonaligned.
Ours is a developed country, yet the
foundations of much of our prosperity on primary
production and the export of minerals has
made us conscious of the problems faced by
both producers and consumers. As a
predominantly European community in the
Asian and Pacific region, we are conscious of
the pressing requirements of our neighbours. As a comparatively rich country, we accept the
responsibility of extending asistance to the
developing countries. Bound by treaty to the
United States, we nonetheless respect and seek
to understand further the views of those
countries which have chosen to espouse nonalignment.
The bilateral relations between Australia and
Yugoslavia are strong and cordial. My visit will
help to strengthen them. Many migrants of
Yugoslav origin live in Australia. Their skills and
initiative have contributed to Australia's
progress and form an enduring bond between
our nations. I believe, Mr Prime Minister, that
after your visit to Australia you were satisfied
that my Government is determined to do all in
its power to prevent and punish criminal acts of
terrorism directed against Yugoslavia by a small
minority of malcontents and undesirables. You
may be assured that we will hold firmly to our
commitment. Trade between our countries is growing and
there is every sign that it will grow further. It is
my hope that we shall soon enter into long-term
agreements for increased trade. I hope to see a
greatly increased flow of private business,
officials and experts between our two countries.
Recent negotiations leading to the conclusion of
a bilateral civil aviation agreement covering
flights of your national airline to Australia and
ours to Belgrade is a positive contribution to this
goal. Negotiations for the conclusion of a
Cultural Agreement are well advanced.
The relationship between Australia and
Yugoslavia is based on an affinity of views on
the fundamentals of the international order. An
interdependent world demands co-operation
rather than confrontation: and no state, however
great, should threaten the independence of
another state, however small. These shared beliefs,
and the opportunities and demands presented
by a troubled world, form the basis of a
friendship that will be healthy and beneficial for
our two countries, and a constructive contribution
to the wider needs of peace and understanding
in the world.
Speech by President Tito of Yugoslavia at a luncheon in honour of
the Prime Minister of Australia in Belgrade on 10 January 1975
I would like to express the great pleasure, of my
wife, Jovanka, of myself and of all of us, to have
you all here as our guests today. You have come
from a far-away country geographically but one
close-by in terms of aspirations and outlook on
the world, in terms of efforts for the best possible
relations throughout the entire world, in
terms of eliminating, as soon as possible, the
various negative features which even today are
still burdening our world.
Many of our countrymen live in your country...
some arrived before the last war, and
others immediately after that war, but these are
two categories of people who differ in many ways. Those who originally left Yugoslavia to go
to your country did so because of economic
need, because they lived in great poverty. But
among those who went immediately after the
last war, there were those who were traitors,
who had collaborated with the occupiers and
committed terrible crimes-crimes you and
your people did not know about. Naturally these
two categories of our people who found a home
in your friendly country had to come into conflict
and to hate each other, to a situation which was
not in the interest of our two countries. I know
that you, personally, Mr Prime Minister, and
your Government, have done a great favour to
us by realising that it is not all the same who
The Prime Minister in talks in Belgrade with the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia. Mr Bijedic
K." t