PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, THE HON P J
KEATING, MP AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM,
THE RIGHT HON. J MAJOR, MP
DOWNING STREET, LONDON, UK
FRIDAY, 3 JUNE, 1994
JM. rm delighted to see the Prime Minister here. He's here of course for
the D-Day celebrations and we're delighted to see him here. We all
owe a very great debt of gratitude to the many Australian servicemen
who played such a remarkable role in that operation and in other parts
of the war. We've had the opportunity of beginning our bilateral
discussions; we hope to continue them, perhaps in more informal
settings over the weekend.
We have no bilateral problems worth mentioning; there's an extremely
good relationship. Trade between our two countries has been growing
very substantially both ways. In terms of trade flows and investment
flows and we're very attracted to that trend continuing and have been
examining how we might improve it. We've had the opportunity of
reviewing the outcome of the GATT negotiations and are looking
forward to the establishment of the World Trade Organisation, There
have been a series of other regionaldiscussloni on the opportunities
for further trade within the ASEAN region, looking at countries of
mutual interest China and others spring to mind so it has been a
welcome opportunity to exchange views and I'm delighted the Prime
Minister could be here. I'll Invite him just to say a word and we'll then
take any questions you may have.
PK: Thank you, Prime Minister. As the Prime Minister said, we've both
agreed there is no problem of substance in the relationship. Our two.
way trade is growing stronger every year. Australia Is the fourth
largest investor in Britain and Britain is the second largest investor in
Australia, and our two-way investment that is, the Australia-Britain
two-way investment Is the largest Investment relationship Britain has
and the largest investment relationship Australia has. So, that, I think,
underlines the relationship In commercial terms.
In cultural terms I think that it is an ' important opportunity, which I
welcome, to Join with the Prime Minister In these D-Day
commemorations and at least he was kind enough to refer to the role
Australians had played. And, I will take the opportunity. as I will now.
In saying that we will take this chance to pay tribute to Britain and
Britons, In the fight for the democracies against fascism In Europe to
load that fight, to carry the brunt of It, and as a consequence leave
open the prospect of the landings in Normandy and the successful
defeat of Nazism in Europe. so, rm looking forward to that opportunity
over the weekend.
The Prime Minister end I discussed, as he said, the outcome of the
GATT. We've also discussed some of the social and political parallels
In Australia In social and economic policy, and there are quite a
number of profound ones. And, as he said, we'll take up the rest of the
conversation over the course of the weekend.
JM: Now we can ( ake a couple of questions if there are any.
J: Mr Keating, I wonder given our long historical association with Britain,
whether you Informed Mr Major that you wished to change the
Austraia~ n flqg by taking the Union Jack out of the corner and I
wonder, Mr Major, how you might react to that?
PK: Well, this is not an active matter in Australia and hasn' been... for the
Prime Minister's benefit, I was asked a question about this In
Parliament the other day by our Opposition and that's promoted this
question Which I have no more to say about than I said then or as I
have said on many other occasions.
J: Prime Minister Keating, did you discuss the developments in North,
Korea and what is your vlew?
I
PK We didn't but I'm sure the Prime Minister and I would share a similar
view that the defuellIng of reactors in North Korea should be subject to
International inspections, that there must be a clear understanding on
the part of the International Atomic Energy Agency that there Is not
diversion of weapons and, at least for Australiao's part, we stand ready
to join any international decision the United Nations might make
Including sanctions which make the North Koreans accountable In
terms of their nuclear facilities.
J: Would Prime Minister Major regret the fact of Australia removing the
Union Jack from the corner of ( he Australian national flag?
JM: I think that is a matter for Australia. Australia is a very remarkable
country, nothing that happens In any way Is going to damage the
Instinctive relationship and the trade relationship that exists between
the United Kingdom and Australia. It has been there, It Is very strong
and it Isn't going to change In the future. Thank you vary much.
PK: Thank you.
e nds.