PM Transcripts

TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, SALLE VICTORIA, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX,
FRANCE, 18 JUNE 1989
9 & 0E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Mr Cousteau indicated this
morning that the French Government are now on board on this
Idea of a Wilderness Park for Antarctica. Are you pleased
with that?
PM: Well that's the indication he gave'-to me. I'm certainly
pleased if that's the case. I'll need to obviously have that
confirmed when I see the Prime Minister and the President
tomorrow but the indications are good.
JOURNALIST: Are you confident you can win other support
around Europe and in America?
PM: The fact that we've moved from being one out to now
having France and India is a very significant improvement and
of course the merit of the case is overwhelming. So I hope
that we will get further support. It may not be immediately
forthcoming but I think as time goes on people will come to
realise the responsiblity that we've all got for saving the
Antarctic and the Australian proposal is really the only way
of getting there.
JOURNALIST: Jacques Cousteau indicated today that even the
New Zealanders may not sign the Treaty.
PM: Well I think that's possible but we'll wait and see
about that.
JOURNALIST: Can you get Jacques Cousteau to help you in your
campaign against nuclear testing in the Pacific?
PM: He shares our view on that and he's made his position
known as have we. But I don't think there's any Immediate
prospects of change there but we live in a rapidly changing
world, you never know.
JOURNALIST: Are you expecting any further in talks
tomorrow with the French on the question of nuclear testing
or do you think that it will just be a restatement of views
on both sides?
PM: Obviously we will state the position clearly and they
will state theirs * and we're not going to change one anothers
position I wouldn't think tomorrow.
ends