PM Transcripts

TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE,
CANBERRA, 29 AUGUST 1990
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Can you confirm that Saddam Hussein will
release all women and children
PM: I can't confirm it. We have no confirmation from it
yet. As far as we're concerned it's still a report but I
express the hope that the report is true.
JOURNALIST: How many Australians are held that you think
could be released under these circumstances?
PM: Well you can't put a precise number on it because
he's apparently limited the purported proposal to women
and children. But it's, you know, you would think over a
hundred. JOURNALIST: is true, does it alter your perception
of Saddam. Hussein? Does it make him a nice guy?
PM: No.
JOURNALIST: What do you think of the offer?
PM: It's a totally bizarre situation with which we've
been dealing and this is another element in a bizarre
situation. Most of them have had no redeeming features.
This at least if it's true and as I say I can't confirm
it yet offers some hope for people who deserve hope.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, will Cabinet be making a decision
on Telecom before the special conference?
PM: That's a matter for internal decision.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, what does yesterday's decision on
the Commonwealth Bank mean to the special conference
PM: It means different things for different people and
for me it confirms the logic of what I've been talking
about. I've got to go now.
JOURNALIST: win on Ansett and Qantas and Telecom
since you've had a win on this one, on the Commonwealth
Bank? PM: Life is not as simple as that.
ends