FOR MEDIA 9 January 1980
The Government today considered a report from the Foreign-
Minister concerning the latest events in ! ran and more specifically
the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have already condemned
the invas-ion of Afghanistan as totally without justification;
as a violation of everything the United Nations stands for; and as
a mode of behaviour which will make normal relationships between
nations totally impossible.
Soviet explanations of the invasion have been rejected by the
Government. The Government, along with many others, is conscious that its
actions and decisions must. be directed to the securing of
circumstances where this kind of behaviour will not be repeated.
The Russians have invaded Afghanistan. Now, collectively,
the world needs to demonstrate that the price of that invasion is
much higher than the Soviet envisaged and higher than they would
be prepared to contemplate on future occasions.
made it plain thi4S morning that it is not just a question ofwanting
the Russians out of Afghanistan but est& E. bi-ishinq . g -e
I. Wh hi
It is against that background that the Soviet Union needs to
understand that the price of its actions in Afqjhranistan will hr!
heavy one indeed.
There are inevitable limitations to the we!. iq( h L Lhal. a niation of
14 million people can put into the scales. NeverLhecL'. S WC hi. vCe
taken a number of decisions on a broad front which are designe-d
to demonstrate concern and to register the strongest possible
opposition to the Soviet Union's actions.
Some days ago the Government made an offer to the United States to
consult with them concerning greater Australian involvement in
patrolling and surveillance of the Indian Ocean. Much needs to be
determined and options considered, but-thiis could involve Australian
participation with United States forces, or a greater independent
effort by Australia to survey larger areas of the Indian Ocean. / 2
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The United States has reciprocated warmly to that suggestion.
It is not one made merely against the short term position that we are
now confronting. It is one made against the background of changed
strategic circumstances which will involve greater co-operation
between Australia and her friends and allies.
Australia will support United States action in relation to
wheat sales to the Soviet Union. We will not pick up any
of the short fall created by that decision and will urge other
wheat exporting nations to take a similar view. Consistent with
United States actions normal sales to the Soviet Union will not
be affected.
We will be putting to the United States at a meeting being
held in Washington on Saturday that the 17 millinji tonner,;
shortfall resulting from President Carter's decision, should
be handled in such a way that the international market in
wheat is not prejudiced.
Any discussions or arrangements or agreements over fisheries
matters are indefinitely suspended. This has particular
application for two projects: a joint feasibility fishing
venture on the North West Shelf off the Western Australian coast;
and a feasibility fishing project involving jack mackerel in
waters adjacent to Tasmania.
Any approvals previously given in relation to these fisheries
projects are withdrawn.
USSR Liner Shipping services at present operate to and from
Australia in conference trades ( Australia to Europe Shipping
Conference) and in non-conference trad,, s ( Aiustr; ilia to Eucope,
and the triangular service East Asia/ Japan, USA arid AuLra]. ii).
Russian bulk shipping also carries primary produce bought by
Russia from Australia.
These shipping operations and other facil. itie; provided by
Aust->-alia are currently being revielird.
There will be no further approvals for scier--. ic
vessels to visit our ports.
The visit of the Soviet Fisheries Delegation in February will.
not be permitted into Australia.
We will not meet the Soviet request to station Aeroflot
personnel in Australia to facilitate the Russian Airline's
services going through Australia to other countries.
In addition we are not prepared to consider their requests for
direct Soviet/ Aus-tralia air flights.
Scientific collaboration with the Soviet Union is indefinitel. y
suspended.
Official talks and visits between Australia arn( t-he. Sovi(. t
Union are also indefinitely suspended. / 3
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New programs under the Cultural Program will not be entered into.
A number of countries have made statements concerning the Olympic
Games. Many, including Australia, would prefer, as a result of
recent events, that the Games were not being held in Moscow.
The Games are, however, an international event not a Russian
event and should be seen in that context.
Any decision on this matter is therefore of a different kind
to decisions affecting bilateral relationships between Australia
and Russia. The Government will, therefore, be closely examining
these wider aspects and assessing the views of a number of
other countries.
In addition to these measures, the Government will be embarking
on a wide range of consultations with other countries.
What has happened in Afghanistan has demonstrated that the fears
and concerns expressed in my Statement on Foreign Policy in 1976,
and repeated on other occasions by the Foreign Minister have
been only too realistic. 000---