PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 16 JULY 1978
ELECTORATE TALK
In June 1976, in a statement on the world situation, I informed
the Parliament of the Australian Government's serious concern
about some aspects of the Soviet Union's activities.
I noted that:
" The Soviet leaders now have a strategic and political
reach, a capacity to influence and even intervene well
beyond the periphery of the established zones of Soviet
security interest.
" The time has come to expect a sign from the U. S. S. R.
that it understands this, and that it is serious about
reaching global accommodation with the West."
During the two years s -z that statement, the Soviet Union
has not only failed to = i~ e such a sign, but its current
behaviour-is a source ol:-increasing international concern.
We are witnessing a new phase in the Soviet Union's persecution
of leaders of the human rights movement. The Soviet Union has
established a considerable presence in the Horn of Africa. And
there is a continuing major build-up in the military power of
the Warsaw Pact.
These are all distr" ui;= signs of the Soviet Union's failure
to moderate major as== e = zs of its international behaviour
aspects which exacer--bate world tensions.
This week, in the area of human rights, the trials of two leading
Soviet human rights defenders, Anatoly Shcharnsky and Alexandr
Ginsburg, have been strongly condemned by the Australian Government
and by the leaders of almost all Western democracies.
We will continue to express our concern to the Soviet Union.
We urge the Soviet Union to implement the important principles
of human rights embodied in the 1977 Helsinki Accords, to which
they solemnly agreed. We urge it to consider the adverse effects
of the present campaign of repression of those who have attempted
to monitor Soviet compliance with an international agreement. / 2
It is hard for us to believe that Soviet leaders intend to honour
international commitments and understandings if they can allow
such persecution to proceed.
Our concern at the Soviet Union's recent action on human rights
is all the more-acute since it is jeopardising areas of arms
control in which there has been some progress.
The trials occur in the very week in which the United States and
the Soviet Union are continuing major negotiations designed to
reach new agreement to limit strategic arms.
The Soviet Union's placing in jeopardy of these negotiations is
even more disturbing because while it has been concerned with
measures of nuclear disarmament, it-has also displayed a disturbing
attachment to the utility of military power as a means of expanding.
its own influence.
In 1976 I said:
" People can reason~ ably conclude that the Soviet Union
still seeks to exznand its influence throughout the world
in order to achieve Societ primacy. Its actions all too
often appear inconsist-ent with the aim of reducing world
tension The hu'id-up of the Warsaw Pact far exceeds
the object of reatiia-raments of defending eastern Europe."
Australia is not alone in its attitude. Just recently, President
Carter said that t-he Soviet Union's miliary build-up " far exceeds
the Soviet Union's l~ ztesecurity needs."
This apprehension has also been plainly and forcefully voiced by
the Biritsh Prime Min~ ister, Mr Callaghan, as . he-. repeated and
endorsed President Ca. r_-a ' s statement.
Other western leaders have expressed their concern.
One current example off = he destabilising effects of the Soviet
pursuit of power is tesituation in Africa. There, the Soviet
Union has establishe. considerable presence, both in its own
right, and through surrogate, Cuba.
Despit e the loss o: ; r Berbera facilities, the substantial
number of Soviet aa~ esand Cuban troops in the Horn of Africa,
estimnated at some IE, 20 has an effect on the balance of power
in the area as a whole, including the Indian Ocean.
There is also a large number of Soviet and Cuban personnel in
Angola. Their presence has wider implications for Southern
Africa. Soviet Union activities in Africa have been instrumental in halting
the discussions between the United States thd the Soviet Union,
designed to achieve agreement about ba',. ance of power in the Indian
Ocean designed to achieve a lowering of naval force levels in
the Indian Ocean. ./ 3
3.
What the Soviet Union has done does not contribute to the search
for peaceful solutions to the problem of the areas.
The Soviet Union today still has an immense responsibility to
use it3 power and influence to strengthen international peace
and security. It has an opportunity to use its position to help
build a stable and humane international order, and to end the
arms build-up.
I am sure all Australia. joins me in expressing the hope that
the Soviet leaders will meet this historic responsibility.