PRIME MINISTERJ
FOR MEDIA 19 may 1987
The Government has previously voiced concern about the
nature and direction of Libyan activities in the South
Pacific region. Some of these activities have been
conducted openly, others many others with varying
degrees of clandestinity. They have become more intense in
the course of this year.
There is no plausible explanation in terms of geography or
legitimate national interest for Libyan activity in this
region, as the Foreign minister and I have both noted in
Parliament and elsewhere.
We have rapeatedly been assured that Libya seeks normal
relations with the countries of the region. Yet Colonel
Gaddafi urges Pacific islanders to join a " single front
which stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean", to " stage a revolution", to " fight to the end".
Libyan organisations have sponsored so-called Pacific
meetingjs in Libya which have no constructive contribution to
make to the well-being of the peoples of the South Pacific.
And Libyan representatives offer funds to individuals and
organisations for destabilising political purposes; arrange
training in the techniques of propaganda, agitation and
guerilla work; use contacts in one country to develop
destabilising networks of contact and influence in others.
Libya's record of subversion and terrorism elsewhere in the
world juctifies the gravest concern.
We have stated repeatedly, and I say it again now, that we
respect the sovereign right of Pacific island countries to
establish relations with whatever countries the-y choose.
Australia does not seek in any way to interfere in any
aspect of their domestic or foreign policy. It is for our
Pacific neighbours to make their own decisions in the light
of their national interests.
But Australia has national interests of its own and a vital
concern for peace, harmony and stability in the South
Pacific. We are only too conscious of the instability
already existing in the region in New Caledonia and most
recently and sadly in Fiji and do not welcome a further
element. The Government has made its concerns about these matters
known to our P acific friends and neighbours as part of the
constant process of consultation it maintains with them. it
has explained frankly and fully its particular concerns
about Libyan activities, and their likely impact on the
region.
The Government has also carefully reviewed Australia's
relations with Libya in the light of the pattern of Libyan
activity in the South Pacific region, including that within
Australia itself. I note that, despite the care with which
Libyan activitieo are monitored, Libya has begun to intrude
into our domestic affairs too, causing dissension and
confrontation among communities, something of deep concern
to all Australians, whatever their cultural background.
In this context of both regional and domestic concern about
the increasingly disruptive activities of Libya, the
Government has concluded that a continuing official Libyan
presence in Australia serves no Australian interest or
purpose, and, indeed, is serving to facilitate Libya's
destabilising activities. The decision the Government has
taken serves to underline the importance it attaches to the
maintenance and development of the closest possible
understanding with our regional partners on matters of such
grave common concern. It gives further strength to our firm
views about the dangers Libyan activities bring to the
region. The Secretary of the Libyan People's Bureau has today been
instructed to close the Bureau forthwith and to leave
Australia within ten days. His assistant is to leave within
three week.