PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT MONDAY,. 5 MAY, 1980'
PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENTS ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENTT
Prime Minister
I have asked the Foreign Minister, Andrew Peacock, to
represent Australia at the funeral of President Tito.
He will have to leave tomorrow. I think the--funeral ceremonythe
arrangements are being made-for Thursday -of this week.
It is a matter that has been foreshadowed,. I suppose, in
the reports that have we have all had over recent weeks, and
-even months, because the President has been very ill for
quite some time.
There has been a good-deal of concern expressed'in different
quarters about what might happen, could happen, within
Yugoslavia, after the President. I think it must be the hope
and the -objective of all nations to make sure that the
integrity of Yugoslavia is--ma-intained. I do not think anyone
would want the circumstances in--which the Soviet-Union took
some actions which, in an iron-clad way, diminished Yugoslavia'
independence.
The President will certainly be remembered for his real and
successful efforts to establish a degree of independence for
Yugoslavia from. the generality of the communist world. There
are many issues in which he took different views from that--
of-the Soviet Union. His position in the Third World was one
of leadership as a result of that. There obviously will be
sensitive circumstances in Yugoslavia but I believe that
Europe, North America, the United States, and many other
countries, will be seeking to demonstrate their concern that
the integrity of Yugoslavia be maintained. It is hard to
think of anything good coming out of Afghanistan and the invasion
of Afghanistan, but I believe that the reactions that the
Soviet Union have had as a result of Afghanistan would make
. it very unlikely, certainly in the immediate future, that
the Soviet Union would make any moves against Yugoslavia.
Question Prime Minister, what do you now regard as the most-serious
threat to world peace: Iran, Afghanistan, or Yugoslavia?
Prime Minister
No, that is the wrong sort of-question I think. It is the
generality of events that have unfolded as a result of the
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, coupled with continuing difficulties
and concerns as a result of Iran.
-2
Question Sir, if the Soviet Union tried to move in, do you believe that
lthe Western allies would intervene militarily to stop them?
Prime Minister
I would-. believe that Western Europe and the United States
have demonstrated in recent days a-. greater cohesion, g-reater
s~ trength in the Western-alliance,. than has been seen for a very,
very long time. I have not the slightest doubt that any move
by the Soviets against Yugoslavia would be seen as a step
tihat could lead to the most terrible danger for Europe and
-, for the-world. I would-believe very strongly that the Soviet......-
Union understands that, very s-ignificantly as a result of
ithe reactions to their invasion-of Afghanistan.* If that had
not occurred, if there had not been the kind, of reaction that
there has been from Europe and from North America, from the
JUnited-States, then-it might-well have been a different circumstance.
B3ut that statement that the President of France and the Chancellor
-of Germany issues shortly before I was in Paris and Bonn, and you
were with me on that occasion, indicated then that they were
concerned that-the invasion of Afghanistan I think the words-.,
" whatever the motives might be could unleash-a process which
! step by step could have the gravest, most serious dangers for
mankind" a move in Europe against Yugoslavia would compound
that many-fold.
Question-Prime Minister does it not though' despite what you have said,--
add inevitably to the tension and to the instability throughout
that broad region?
]? rime Minister
I think there-are chances that this will not occur, if for no
other reason than it is something that has been expected for
quite some time. Obviously, a good deal will depend upon the
maintenance, within Yugoslavia, of the integrity of the
administration, of the sense of purpose. We know there have
traditionally been problems and difficulties within Yugoslavia
as one nation. But the larger problems at the moment are problems
that involve the Soviet Union, and expansion of Soviet power.
I would believe. that within Yugoslavia there would be a
consciousness of that and a very real determination to maintain
the kind of independence from the Soviet Union, from much of the
communist world, which President Tito was able to establish with
great skill and with great courage over a long period.
Question-
While Mr. Peacock is overseas, do you intend him to have talks
with any other leaders on the wider issues of Iran
Prime Minister
Of course he would be, yes. When Foreign Ministers are going
we do not know yet the representation of all countries who will be
at the funeral, but I was discussing this with Andrew -Peacock this
3
Prime Minister( continued)
morning, and he wi-il be seeking the opportunity fordiscussions
with his counterparts from different countries.
It-i-s-et . a-question--in-these-issues of having one discussionand
that is the end of it. It is a changing scene. It is
necessary to maintain a very close contact, just as I did
S at Salisbury. so will_ he there. It is possible that he could
visit one or two other countries in Europe, and possible, but
too early yet to say, that he may come back through the
United States. But that could depend significantly on whether
Senator Muskie himself attends the funeral, or whether the-
S United States attendance is from somebody else.
Question Sir, why are you not going to the funeral?
Prime Minister
We have a very important guest here. Mr. Anthony is the very
direct--. host, but having the third most important person from
the People's Republic of China in Australia, is something that
clearly involves me. It clearly involves the Deputy-Prime Minister.-
In these circumstances, our place is very much in Australia.
I think a number of heads of government,-Presidents or
Prime Ministers, will probably be at President Tito's funeral.
But that will not be so with all Governments. The representation-'-
of the Foreign Minister at the funeral is a very appropriate
one and a very proper one. That will, in a very full way,
demonstrate Australia's concern, and interest in the future of
Yugoslavia. 000---