PRIME MINISTER
E 0 E -PROOF ONLY
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE MANILA HOTEL -MANILA
26 MAY 1986
PM: Ladies and Gentlemen, I will make a relatively brief
statement and then I am open to any questions you may have.
I would say at the outset now that I am very grateful to
have had this opportunity to visit the Philippines and
to hear at first hand from President Aquino about tm~ ee-Cce"
priorities, concerns and plans. As you are aware Australians
very warmly welcome her accession to the presidency. We
believe that the manner in which that accession was achieved
was a very great tribute to the quality and charact. er of
the people of the Philippines. I think in very few countries
would it have been possible given the context and environment
to have achieved that changeover with the minimal amoun
of bloodshed that in fact took place. We have expressed
our desire as a Government and people of Australia to assist
President Aquino and her Government in their reform and
development policies. Quite clearly the change of Government
is a particularly important development for the Asia/ Pacific
region. We are looking forward to the resumption of a full
and friendly government to government relationship. And
I reminded the President of just how quickly my Government
moved to recognise the Government and to demonstrate its
support. I told the President that it was our wish ' that
this visit so early in the life of her Government would
be a firm demonstration of our commitment in that regard.
I sort from President Aquino a personal appraisal of how
she believed things were going and I was briefed by her
on the policies and programs and concepts that she and
the Government have for meeting the massive problems with
which she and the people of the. Philippines have confronted.
She told me about the steps so far that have been taken
on the commission of good government. And she indicated,
having announced the membership of the Constitutional Commission
yesterday, her hopes that work will be relatively and speedily
performed and that there would then be the opportunity
of discussion within the society and then the relatively
early stage elections flowing from it. You will recall
that when Mr Hayden, my Foreign Minister, visited the Philippines
in March he announced that the Australian Government would
increase its aid by 50% to $ 25 million in 1986/ 87 and thereby
demonstrating again the commitment we have to assisting
in the programs of reform. Following that statement
by tvir Hayden in march the iAustraliar .6Mission visited
the Philippines from 5-18 April and toe purpose of that
visit was to consider in discussion with the officials
of the Philippines how best to deploy those increased-resources.
I imformed the President that my Government had now endorsed
the strategy recommended by the Aid Mission and I would
like to indicate to you the outline which I gave to Mrs
Aquino on this matter. Subject to specific proposals being
prepared, aid will be provided in three phases. In the
first phase emphasis will be placed on the continuation
of existing programs, on the introduction of a community
assistance program for assistance at grass roots level
mainly through non-government organisations and the church,
preparation of longer term projection key sectors such
as agriculture and education, provision of technical assistance
in policy and program formulation, the introduction of
a commodity supply program as a response to the immediate
critical economic situation. Under that aspect of the first
phase of the aid program Australia will provide commodities
in key areas of the economy with the proceeds of the sale
of these being used to mitigate the budget deficit and
to support priority social welfare programs. In the second
phase it is envisaged that that commodity supply program
would be phased down. Greater emphasis Would-then be placed
on that second phase on the further development of the
community assistance program, the further preparation of
long term projects and provision of technical assistance.
In the third phase the strategy anticipates that the balance
of payments and budget support measures being terminated
and the aid program would then comprise of fully operational
community assistance programs and large, longer term projects
in priority areas. I spoke with the President about international
issues. I specifically indicated our appreciation that
the Philippines offered to host the next round of regional
trade consultations. That meeting will be held in Manila
before the GATT ministerial meeting in September. I told
the president of our repugnance at the actions over a long
period of Marcos and the cronies of Marcos having apparently
placed massive assets of the people of the Philippines
abroad. I said to her that we would assist in respect of
inquiries about any such assets in Australia to the maximum
extent possible that we could. This Would mean in particular
helping with the provision of relevant information. That
process of course would then have to be conducted within
in the Australian legal processes. Other matters that we
discussed included the internal security of the Philippines
as well as-a number of regional foreign policy issues..
In that context I referred to the fact that we in Australia
had joint facilities with the United States and I expressed
to the President the view of my Government that the hosting
of these joint facilities in our countries was consistent
with our capacity as a Government to pursue rigorously
as we had done in the three years of Government, our policies
in regard to the need fo .) ves towctIUs disarmament, to
create a more peaceful world environment within that we
have that the existence of the joint facilities was consistent
with that. I would like to conclude by, before going to
questions, saying that in our first meeting President Aquino
and I had a significant victory over the forces of protocol
and bureaucratic conservatism. At the end of our meeting
President Aquino said to me that she understood that my
wife and daughter were visiting with me and she uj~ s4reS
that they weren't here. And apparently protocol had arranged
and ordained otherwise so we agreed that it was time for
Presidents and Prime Ministers to assert their authority.
We did and I am very pleased to say that at the end of
my meeting my wife and daughter were able to have a meeting
with the President which we very much appreciated. Any
questions? JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, I am just wondering what President
Aquino' s reply was to your comments on bases and would
it be alright in Australia's terms to be turned
joint facilities......?
PM: There was no attempt on my part nor would I ever contempladte
purporting to tell the Government and the President of
the Philippines how they should conduct their affairs with
the United States or what they shuld do about any changes
to the nature of bases. I mean I make no such presumption.
As far as President Aquino is concerned she said that the
agreement ran until 1991. That was her position and at
this point as far as she was concerned she was not going
to be involved publicly in any debate or discussion a bout
those issuies and that her immediate priorities which
agree with are domestic economic priorities.
JOURNALIST: Recently the Government of New South Wales
tried to recruit 2,000 Filipino nurses to work in Australia
however it was blocked by some trade unions who appeared
0obe evading Australian immigration laws. Will your Government
work for the easing of Australian immigration laws for
Filipino....... to Australia?
PM: Let me make it clear that as far Australia's immigration
laws are concerned the days of any descrimination on the
basis of the country of origin, or race or colour, have
long been behind us. So any implication in your question
at any attitude by any segments * were based on those considerations
and that they have been able to use immigration laws for
that reason are not soundly based. President Aquino did
raise with me the question of the nurses. She said she
understood that there was a shortage of nurses in Australia
and that there would be available properly trained nurses
from the Philippines. And I have simply said to the President
that I would acquaint myself with the details of this matter
on my return. I have not been in any specific way briefed
about it and so I have given her that undertakisr
Lokat it returr Asrla
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, one interpretation of the
ANZUS Treaty has it that Washington could seek Australian
military assistance in the
PM: The matter hasn't been raised with me and I see no
point in speculating about it. It doesn't seem to be an
issue which is remotely within the realm of our concerns
for the foreseeable future. And I repeat it has not been
raised with me.
JOURNALIST: What did Mrs Aquino raise with you of all
aniytLb i nq stpec i r i ca 1 I y r-e I a Led L~ o Lhe( L rans (' or o) F a sse t. s
out of the Philippines to Australia?
PM: Well, Geoff, I raised the matter with her. I expressed
the repugnance of Australians to the massive raping of
the resources of the Philippine people by the previous
regime. I knew it was a matter for concern for them and
she agreed that and still being surprised almost daily
by the dimension of what occurred. And because I knew that
it was a matter for concern I said well, we understand
that and offered to provide any assistance that we possibly
could within Australia if they were to identify what they
believe were assets that had been improperly acquired.
JOURNALIST:... PM: No, our defence co-operation program now with this
Government remains operative. And I did not discuss the
matter with the President but at an appropriate time it
would be the case I think that my Minister may wish to
have discussions at the ministerial level and I am sure
that discussions will continue at the level of officials
to see what is the most appropriate method of assistance
there. You will appreciate that members of the Philippines
armed forces have been coming to Australia for training.
It seems that that will continue to be an appropriate of
the DCP. If the new Government wishes in any way to suggest
other or more effective ways in which co-operation program
can be given effect to well then, of course, we stand ready
to do that.
JOURNALIST: On the question of bases, does the Australian
Government...... PM: We believe that the presence of the American bases
is appropriate and yes we believe it is a contribution
to strategic stability in the region.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, did you express that yourself
to Mrs Aquino? Australia.
PM: I ekpre., -a view a, our assess. of the net~
for security in tne. region. ueliberately u-, u not seek
to intrude myself into telling the Philippines Government
what it should do. Rather I indicated that we were a relatively
new Government and that we had had to face the question
what was the appropriate policy position in regard to the
joint facilities in our country. I explained our processes
of approach on this, the decisions that we had arrived
at, the way in which that decision was totally consistent
with our pursuit of policies to which I have already alluded,
the policies of trying to achieve progress in the areas
of disarmament and that it was totally possible while having
those joint facilities to pursue an independent foreign
policy. It didn't mean that because we had joint facilities
with the United States that we necessarily on every issue
saw eye to eye with them or would not be in a position
at times where we disagreed to point that disagreement
out. So it is clear from what I said that the view of our
Government that the presence of the bases here was consistent
with the Australian Government's own perception. And I
deliberately refrain as it is proper for me to do so from
telling this Government what it should do.
J OURNALIST:...
PM: No, not at all. We are meeting next week with other
major aid donors particularly Japan and the United States
and it is quite clear from the outline that I have given
that the sorts of things that we are talking about would
in any co-ordination process be appropriate to be done
by Australia. What we will seek to ensure in the discussions
that we have with others is that there is not a replication
or duplication.-But there is so much to be done here that
there is no way I believe that what would be doing would
be something that was not necessary to be done.
JOURNALIST:......... banned Australia to fly aircraft into
the Philippines?
PM: Yes, I did make the point to President Aquino that
we tended to regard as a badge of honour the decision of
the previous Government to ban our aircraft because of
the strength which my Government had expressed their views
about the activities of the previous Government. And in
no-circumstances while it was appropriately regarded as
a badge of honour, it was not one now we thought we needed
to wear and the President indicated to me that she understood
our concern, It has been brought to her attention and I
think that you will find that this matter will be dealf
with reasonably quickly.
JOURNALIST:... PM: No I have not had any information given to me which
would indicate that that is the case and all I can say
on the quesu, any acquit I of a s and dea.
in Australian by the previous ~. me I '., dvce given the inaication
to the President as I have said that we will provide what
information we appropriately can within our legal processes.
If they have any information at all then we would like
to know of it. We will do what we can within our legal
framework to assist. I mean if you look at the total picture
and just not what they have done in Australia because I
am not aware but it is difficult to imagine anything more
obscene than the activities of the previous President and
his cronies in stealing from the people of the Philippines
the assets which they so sorely need.
JOURNALIST: Does this mean that bank accounts can be opened
like they are being opened in Switzerland...?
PM: No, what I have said is that we would want the Philippine
Government if they identify in their judgement assets in
Australia which have been improperly or illegally acquired
to indicate that to us. And that within our legal processes
we will provide what information and assistance we can.
We will not be changing any legal processes in Australia
on this matter.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, most Australians are apparently
ignorant about the Philippines and vice versa. Does your
Government intend....... exchange programs between Filipinos
and Australianj ' l
PM: There have been some such interchanges in the past.
I accept the point that you make that there is not a sufficient
degree of knowledge between our two countries of one anothers
cultures, traditions and background and I would be certain
that in the discussions that will be going on particularly
when my Foreign Minister again comes here next month for
post-ASEAN ministers talks that this will be one area in
which discussions will be held. There are limits, of course,
in terms of government budget facilities to what can be
funded but there are ways I believe in which in non-government
funded directions there can be a stimulation of contacts
between our two peoples. And we will certainly be keen
to do whatever we can in that direction.
JOURNALIST: On the Marcos assets Mr Hawke can we
assume that the Government hasn't made any progress on
identifying those assets so far anc r hr particular
problems there do you think?
PM: Well, let me repeat the point Mike, President Aquino
did not raise it me. I mentioned it to her. So I take it
that at there end I have not reached a position where they
have done enough work I would assume to have identified
the particular problem. It was my concern merely to indicate
to the President our attitude, that we wanted to do all
that we could to help. The initiative must be with them.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, I have two questions.
PM: Yes, of course.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are there any conditions attached
aid to the Philippines?
PM: It is not a 25% increase. It is a 50% increase to
million. No there are no conditions. Australia is at
the forefront of aid donors in the world in the lack of
conditionality attached to our aid. It is virtually all
in grant form. If you want to put a condition as it were
though it is not exactly the right world, our fundamental
concern is that as far as possible Australian aid shall
be going to the grass roots level. We want to see and we
want to have the feeling that the assistance we give is
going to be directed to programs which are going improve
the well-being of the ordinary Filipino people.
JOURNALIST:... PM: That is a very good question. I don't know whether
people here heard it but it was asked whether the President
asked for more aid or did she say 25 million was enough.
One of the refreshing characteristics of President Aquino
I think is her directness. And she expressed considerable
gratitude for the action and the speed of the action of
the Australian Government. She indicated not only as far
as Australia was concerned but for the rest of the world
that the Philippines needed as much assistance as they
could possibly get. So this wasn't put in terms of saying
at all, well Mr Hawke, thank you for your 25 million, I
don't think it is enough. But she genuinely said clearly
the Philippines can use as much aid as it possibly can
get because the magnitude of the task is so enormous.
JOURNALIST: Well, you will notice from the answer I gave
previously that I think the basic responsibility for this
must lie with the Government of the Philippines and I repeat
the answer that I have given that. if in~ the light of investigation
they do they want to take proceedings an d believe the proceedings
are appropriate then we will provide all1 the assistance
that we can within the processes of the law.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, can you tell us about your
discussions on insurgency with President Aquino. You said
that she had briefed you. Perhaps you also offered your
own observations?
PM: I am not an authority on insurgency. But she did indicate
to me that she had a considerable degree of optimism both
in terms of the attitude of the people who had been involved
in insurgency that she believed the hard core was a relatively
small percentage and that the others would be responsive.
Within that she made the point that it was important that
the-Government should be able to provide the opportunity
for active and constructive involvement of the previous
insurgence in agricultural activity and that the Government
had plans for making land available not merely to ex-insurgents
but as part of dealing with the problem of insurgency the
Government was concerned with trying to ensure that there
was a revitalisation of rural agricultural activity. The
third point that she made was that she believed that the
the reform in the armed forces was significant and effective
and that the people in the rural areas would have an increased
confidence in the integrity of the armed forces and she
regarded this as relevant in dealing with problem.
JOURNALIST: PM: We in fact will be having here within a matter of
two months, there will be meetings of the joint commission
and of the business co-operation committee and out of those
discussions, the level of officials and of the-business
level the question of opportunities in increased Australian
investment will be one of the issues that will be addressed
at those meetings. And I would hope that out of those discussions
there would be the opportunity for some forms of investment
here which would be mutually beneficial.