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AUSTRAI 0.
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, w17 JANUARY, 1980
ADDRESS TO LUNCHEON IN HONOUR OF
, HIS EXCELLENCY MR. MASAYOSHI OHIRA,
PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN
The welcome I extend to you today on behalf of the Australian
Government and all Australians, is a very sincere and warm one.
We value your presence amongst us.
At the beginning of a new year and a new decade, your visit
symbolises not only the strength of our past relationship,
but also its growing importance in the years ahead.
This relationship has developed from natural and complementary
trading ties; ties which have been of remarkable benefit to
both our ' countries; ties which have been guided and reinforced
by government to government arrangements. These arrangements
gained their earliest impetus from the 1957 Commerce Agreement.
Looking back now, we are better able to understand the
foresight and vision behind the Agreement.
More recently, I signed a basic treaty of friendship and
co-operation with Prime Minister Miki in 1976. During all this
time, we have worked at and developed the necessary political
and cultural dimension to our relationship. Our institutional
framework, reinforced by active exchanges at all levels, has
enabled us to consult closely; not only on bilateral matters
but also on important internatio ' nal events such as the Tokyo
Economic Summit_-in 1979. I remember warmly our own
consultations in Manila before the Summit.
Yesterday we agreed' to contribute more funds to the Australia,-
Japan, and Western Pacific Economic Relations Research Project.'
I am pleased too that your visit coincides with theannouncement
by my Government of increased funds for the
Australia-Japan Foundation, through which the cultural base of
our relationship is being expanded. one of the aims of this
expansion is to bring the level of understanding between our
peoples to that which exists between our Governments.
We have agreed that our efforts in this regard should be directed
primarily towards our youth. It would be particularly useful if,
as we discussed yesterday, arrangements can be made for working
holidays for our youth, for that would contribute greatly to
the shaping of future attitudes between our countries. / 2
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All these continuous activities, in so many fields and
by so many groups, have given effectiveness-and perspective
to our discussions over the past two days, on a wide range
of important issues.
Mr. Prime Minister, you have come here at a time when our
bilateral relations are at a stage of vigorous expansion; and
the very helpful talks we have had, can only give added
impetus to this. More than this, your.. visit coincides with
disturbing developments on the internat . ional scene. We are
all greatly concerned about what is happening in Afghanistan
and Iran. I have welcomed the opportunity to discuss these
problems with you.
The Soviet move into Afghanistan poses dangers to world peace
greater than any in the last 35 years. It presents a challenge
to the collective strength and will of the nations of the world.
We must show that a line can be drawn against Soviet expansion.
only a year ago, we saw Soviet support for the Vietnamese
invasion of Kampuchea. Today, Soviet forces are poised on the
borders of Iran and Pakistan, in a position to take advantage
of any opportunity that offers, or can be manufactured, in areas
of enormous strategic and economic-significance: the Iranian
oilfields, the Straits of Hormuz and the Indian Ocean sea lanes.
Let me state why I believe the situation we now face is more
important than any that has occurred in recent decades. Previous
crises in Berlin, Cuba, Korea undeniably, they involved matters
of enormous significance and concern to the free world.
They challenged the reputation, the strength and the very
credibility of the free world. They struck at its unity and
cohesiveness. Beyond that, these crises were of momentous
political and ideological significance.
All these factors are present in the new crisis in Afghanistan.
But if, in addition, the ruthless opportunism of the Soviet Union
is not checked, -the consequences assume global, strategic and
economic significance of massive proportions. For, if the
U. S. S. R. were to gain control of, or influence over, Middle East
oil production, that would enable it to destroy the economies
of the advanced world. Some may argue that this is a " worst
case" prospect. But in the circumstances of today, all advice
is that we cannot ignore it. It is therefore critical to world'
peace and security that all countries should bring home to the
Soviet Government an understanding that there are clear limits
to its aggressive intentions.
Mr. Prime Minister, we share the understanding that this decade
will pose challenges for us. Not only must we meet these
challenges as they arise, but also we must anticipate them
through consultation . with friends and neighbours.
Central to meeting these challenges is our joint pursuit of
stability through economic growth. Nothing undermines stability,
security and the quality of life as much as the absence of
economic growth. For only through economic growth can we provide
the kind of life that maximises freedom and enhances the well-being
of all of us. / 3
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As far as Japan in concerned, even modest projections indicate
that you will remain one of the most significant and growing
economic powers in the world. You have won international
recognition for maintaining the highest economic growth
amongst industrialised countries; and this, in the face of
severe international economic difficulties. Because of this,
your capacity to influence beneficially the economic development
of our region will continue to have very positive consequences.
Yet the scarcity of energy supplies, " Severely aggravated by
political events,_ places possible limitations on this
development. The challenge is to find and utilise alternative
and adequate supplies of energy. The fact that Australia can
help to meet'this challenge, has already been recognised
by many nations.
The electric power companies of several industrialised
countries have already begun to negotiate long-term
contractual arrangements for Australian steaming coal. World
aluminium manufacturers are establishing smelters in Australia,
near the site of abundant blocks of commercial power.
Indications are that other energy-intensive manufacturing
industries are being increasingly attracted by the ready
availability of Australian energy. Nations will increasingly
call on us to help meet their domestic energy requirements.
As well, governments and international corporations will both
recognise the availability of Australian minerals, but more
importantly, energy. The two are coming together in Australia.
Your future requirements for energy; your geographic
proximity to Australia; the dependence of the region on your
economic growth; these lead us to expect a significant
increase in Japanese demands for our resources.
At the same time, Australia is already developing its own
capacity to process many of these resources. For both of us,
this makes good economic sense and energy sense. And from the.
Australian point of view, there are no impediments to your
involvement in this development.. Indeed, the basic treaty of
friendship and co-operation was negotiated to ensure that the,
same opportunities would exist for Japanese interests as are
available to other countries.
We, in Australia, hope you in Japan will take up more of these
opportunities and not just leave them to the Britain
and other European countries.
Mr. Prime Minister, we are fortunate to be part of a region
which has unique advantages. The Western Pacific area has
abundant supplies of food,. fibre, and manufacturing capacities;
of energy, technology and human resources. As well, in the
the proximity of the countries in this region to one another,
will be of enormous advantage to us all. / 4
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For your country, as for ours, trade with this region will
accelerate as industrialisation increases. This
industrialisation, already occurring in the Republic of Korea,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, is rapidly taking place
in other countries particularly in the ASEAN group.
We are adjusting to the opportunities-provided by our region,
and this process will accelerate under the stimulus of
vigorous, market development. Japan and Australia will have an
important co-operative partto play as regional opportunities
grow. It is a new and a challenging role for both of us.
In this connection, I found particularly stimulating our
discussion of the Pacific Community concept, aimed at
promoting greater regional co-operation. The idea is
forward-looking, and, Mr. Prime Minister, we are grateful
for your own and Dr. Okita's personal commitment to
advancing it.
I believe we share similar views about this concept, and
we would like to see it taken further. But much needs to be
done before we can achieve this.
Yesterday we agreed that a first step would be for Australia and
Japan to consult with others of our friends in the region
to ascertain their views. I am pleased to be able to tell you
now, that if our consultations indicate broad interest in
exploring the concept further, then Australia would be happy
to sponsor a seminar for this purpose. I would envisage
this taking place later in the year at the Australian
National University.
Our relationship together has developed remarkably, but we
cannot become complacent. It would be complacent to ignore the
pressures that international events impose on us. But both
Australia and Japan are mindful of their responsibility to
contribute to international co-operation and regional
development. By meeting this~ responsibility together, we
can secure progress and beneficial development, together.
That is why, Mr. Prime Minister, we value your visit to
Australia and why we so warmly welcome your presence amongst us.
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