PM Transcripts

IERGY 8
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 12 MAY 1989
1989 is the 125th anniversary of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent movement and these organisations have taken
this opportunity to appeal internationally for special
humanitarian gestures to mark this occasion.
Successive Australian Governments have given support to the
ICRC in its assistance to the victims of natural and other
disasters and tragedies throughout the world.
My Government strongly supports the endeavours of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent movement. In response to their
current appeal, I am providing them today, through Mr Alan
McLean, the Secretary General of the Australian Red Cross
Society, with a cheque for $ 250,000 for use in assisting
those devastated by the current bloodshed and civil
disruption in Lebanon.
I have in recent days met representatives of the Lebanese
community who have brought home to me again the desperate
plight of their friends and relatives in their once
harmonious land. I believe that a humanitarian offering to
those people is something which all Australian would fully
endorse. As I have announced separately today, the Government is also
providing $ 250,000 to Lebanon through the appeal recently
launched by the United Nations Secretary-General.
I take this opportunity to express the deep appreciation of
the Australian Government to the Australian Red Cross
Society, which in 1989 is celebrating its 75th anniversary,
for the magnificent work it continues to do. ; 84 I