PM Transcripts

T4EL.: May. 93 10: 49 No. 010 P. 01/ 01
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MP
RECOGNITION OF ERITREAN INDEPENDENCE
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government has decided to
extend formal recognition to Eriirea following the overwhelming vote In favour of
Independence by the Eritrean people In the referendum held on
23-25 April 1993.
The referendum was the final stage of the peace process agreed by the
Provisional Governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia In 1991.
Senator Kerry Sibraa, the President of the Senate, led the Australian group to
observe the recent referendum. He has confirmed the view of all the
International observers that the vote was free and fair and decisively in favour
of Independence.
The Eritrean independence struggle has attracted the sympathy and support of
many Australians and has had the strong support of the Australian Parliament.
Prominent Australians, such as the late Professor Hollows and author
Thomas Keneally, have also taken a personal Interest In the problems of
Eritrea. in 1990, Professor Hollows Initiated a blindness prevention program to reduce
the Incidence of surgically curable eye disease In Eritrea. As a contribution to
this effort, the Australian Government provided funding for an intra-occular lens
factory to be assembled In Wollongong and shipped to Eritrea.
Australia has also provided other assistance to Eritrea under the aid program.
In 1992-93 the Government will provide $ 4.3 million in emergency relief,
training and development assistance through Australian non -governmental
organIsatlons, and from this year Australia will also provide a number of
scholarships for Enitreans under the John Crawford Scholarship Scheme.
I congratulate the people of Eritrea on attaining their Independence and wish
them well for the future.
CANBERRA 4 May 1993 TEL