PM Transcripts

TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, THE MON P. J. KEATING MP
DOORSTOP ON DEPARTURE TO LEADERS RETREAT, MADANG RESORT,
14 SEPTEMBER 19" 5
E& OE PROOF COPY
J: Nauru's Leader says that the French should be excluded from the post-
Forum dialogue, would Austraia support that position?
PM: I think for some countries here, it is only the post-Forum dialogue whe re there
is any contact with the French. So, I think, some countries will want ' to keep
that dialogue going.
J: Is Australia one of those countries?
PM: Well we don't we have ambassadorial sources and we have direct ones as
you know, but other countries don't so we respect their view.
J: How strong will the condemnation of France be?
PM: I think fairly strong. But again, here, questions about the French in this Pacific
and the French territories are for the French and the people who li~ e there.
What we are objecting to is a single decision to detonate these nuclear blasts
and If that were over then, if you lIke, our point of objection with France would
cease.
J: After talking with other leaders overnight, how hopeful are you now of getting
agreement on a code of conduct to restrict logging?
PM: I am reasonably hopeful. At the las meeting in Brisbane we. tied to
reconstruct the airline deficits which is a big thing to try to do. To try and get
the fisheries, to get a better deal on fseries and more cohesion in managing
fishery clients and getting better prices and the other thing w~ is to do
something about forestry, about unsustainable logging. Now, they are three
very big chunks to bite off we are going pretty well on two and I hopoe we do
well on the third.
J: Do you think using aid as a lever is an appropriate way to get people to fall in
line?
PM: I don't think so because we can al seek to pressure governments but aid is
about helping people and when aid is diminished Nstt arts to diminish some of
the programs that ordinary people get benefit from.
ends