PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 15 OCTOBER 1985
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER
I have this morning sent the following message to
President Reagan:
" Dear Mr President
The Government of Australia understands and shares the
deep concern of the Government of the USA at the acts
of the terrorists who illegally seized the
" Achille Lauro" and murdered an American passenger.
It agrees with, and has complete sympathy with, the
declaration of the Government of the USA that
terrorists should be proceeded against according to the
established legal processes and that all countries in
the international community should meet their proper
obligations in this process. Australia certainly will
meet its responsibilities in this respect and we have
conveyed this commitment to your Government. The
Government of Australia understands the concerns of the
Government of the USA to make these terrorists subject
to legal accountability.
This incident is the latest in a cycle of violence and
counter-violence in the Middle East which will not stop
until the underlying causes of the Middle East dispute
are addressed and resolved.
Lionel Bowen
Acting Prime Minister."