PM Transcripts

17
I AUSTRALIA..
PRIME. MINISTER
E 0 E -PROOF ONLY
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW AT GOLDEN BULL GUEST HOUSE CHENGDU
21 MAY 1986
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher seems to be saying
that she doesn't believe that South Africa's military raid
challenges or questions the effectiveness of sanctions.
What is your view on the raid and should we be imposing
sanctions? PM: Well the view of the Australian Government about the
raids is it is a totally objectionable and reprehensible
and an unacceptable intrusion into the affairs of sovereign
and independent countries. I have had transmitted to the
South African Government that view of the Australian Government.
As to the effect that this may have on the processes that
have been initiated by the Commonwealth I can't say with
authority on that. It must impose a considerable strain
upon them and I have yet to hear from Mr Fraser and the
other people associated with the eminent persons group.
JOURNALIST: So the question of sanctions would depend very
much on their assessment, their report?
PM: Well, that would be a relevant factor. What have I
have asked to be done, I have sent a cable back to Australia
and asked that there be prepared for Cabinet consideration
a submission by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation
with my own Department so that Cabinet can consider this
matter on my return.