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PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P. J. KEATING MP
DOORSTOP, HILTON CONVENTION CENTRE, 29 JUNE 1994
E& OE PROOF COPY
PM; You can see today, I think, that Australia has got its trade act together and
particularly here in Indonesia. This is the largest trade exhibition Australia
has ever mounted. Its comprehension has to be seen to be believed,
running from manufacturers through services and it's going to have, I
think, a large impact upon the business community of Indonesia. Australia
is now being accepted for what it is a high technology, thoughtful country
which can really help develop Indonesia and this part of the world, both in
services and in manufacturing. So, it is with much pleasure that I was
here and able to participate with Minister Hartarto in launching the
exhibition.
J: Prime Minister, last night, Alexander Downer was claiming credit for
forcing you to raise the censorship issue with President Soeharto. What is
your response to that?
PM: It is ridiculous. It's just high school debating stuff. Foreign Minister Gareth
Evens last week made very clear Australia's position about this. He said
Australia was disappointed. He and I discussed the matter. I repeated
that to President Soeharto when I raised it and, I think, he understood the
context with which it was being put. I can say after eleven years in office,
in a sophisticated foreign policy we don't need high school debating
tactics from Mr Downer to be able to raise matters of national importance.
J: Prime Minister, I'm from Radio Australia, we broadcast live in Indonesia
every day here during the ATI' 94. Would you have something to say to
our listeners in Indonesia?
PM: Just that I think that there is a great bond developing between Australians
and Indonesians. There is great facility, I think, that Australia can provide 0.
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Indonesia. Many Indonesian people have said they feel very comfortable
with Australians, we are capable, we are obliging, we offer help, we are
not overbearing. I think these are all qualities appreciated in this country
and will stand us in good stead.
J: Prime Minister Keating, in a briefing to Indonesian journalists one of the
Ministers here said that it was President Soeharto who specifically raised
the issue of the magazine closures.
PM: No, I raised the issue first. I raised the issue. But again, it's raised in the
context of this broad relationship we have which is most obviously
demonstrated here today. Thank you.
ends