PM Transcripts

MEDIA RELEASE DEATH OF MR BREZHNEV
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister
the Rt Hon. Anthony, M. P.
I have been informed today of the death of
President Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, and on behalf of
the Australian Government, I extend my condolences to the
Government of the Soviet Union and the late President's
family. As leader of the Soviet Union in the past 18
years, President Brezhnev has faced awesome responsibilities
both to his own people and to all mankind. His period in
power, on its own, is a remarkable achievement in today's
world. In this time he has sought to improve the living
conditions of the Soviet people. He has also sought to
promote the notion of detente in international co-operation.
It has to be said, however, that under President
Brezhnev, the Soviet Union's military strength and the
projection of Soviet power has reached unprecedented levels,
and in recent times, has given rise to serious tensions
and uncertainty. Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan and, more
recently, the tragedy of Poland, are testimony to the
policies for which President Brezhnev and his associates
will be remembered. The Australian Government sincerely hopes that
for the good of all people, the new leaders in Moscow will
sincerely follow the path of peace which the late President
Brezhnev frequently claimed as his country's policy. There
will be enormous benefit to all mankind if this can come
about.
CANBERRA 11 November 1982.