TEL 17. Jan. 96 18: 13 No. 021 P. 01/:!
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE,
HIS EXCELLENCY MR GOlI CHOK TONG
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE SHANORI LA MOTEL,
SINGAPORE, 17 JANUARY 1996
E& OE PROOF COPY
GOI-: Yes, good morning ladies and gentlemen. Prime Minister
Paul Keating and I had a good meeting this morning. We ranged
over many subjects. We discussed developments in the region and
also bilateral matters. On bilateral matters the principle point which
I am making this morning is we will be issuing a Joint Declaration
on a New Partnership.
Our relations are very good. We have been doing many things
together. But we thought we can do more if we were to collect our
thoughts, put them on a piece of paper and decide on the focus
and where to focus In the years ahead.
The Joint Declaration will be issued to you and I will stop over here
so you can ask questions on what we will be doing and on such
matters that are of Interest to you. You can address questions to
Prime Minister Keating or myself.
J: Prime Minister Goh, can you elaborate on this New Partnership
scheme. How will it benefit for Singapore, Australia and the region
and what does It mean to them?
GOH: Well, basically, there are several pillars In this Joint Dec. laratIon
political, security, social, economic. On the economic side we
would. of course, be encouraging Singaporeans to invest In
Australia and Australia to trade more with Singapore. We would
also be working together to Invest in third countries like Indonesia,
so it would benefit the Indonesians. And when Indonesia grows the
economy will also affect Singapore and Australia Wn a positive way.
J: Mr Goh, this week you gave an interview with the suggestion that
Australia might one day be a part of ASEAN. Do you suggest a
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possible timetable for that whether 2010, 2020 and what sort of
hurdles, what sort of benchmarks, does Australia have to meet In
order to become a partner?
GOH: I would like to put my remarks in context. I was asked a question
by The Australian Financial Review whether I foresee Australia
joining ASEAN one day. My reaction was, it is an idea which is
thinkable and Indeed it is a thinkable idea of the horizon. But since
this is an over the hoilion idea, there Is no timeframe In my mind,
there is rno immediate proposal, we did not discuss this, Australia
has not Indicated that it would wish to join ASEAN at this point of
time, and neither have I discussed this with anybody else. So it is
just something which is over the horizon.
In that same interview, Mr Goh, you also praised Mr Keating's
leadership, In the coming election in Australia, would you be sorry
to see Mr Keating go?
PJK: Well, of course, he would. That is why I am here.
GOH: As I have said In the interview, I mean in a personal sense, I would
be sorry to see anybody go and I know Paul Keating very well and
as I told the interviewer, we have got the same vision for the region,
we have got the same stature, we have got the same height..
PJK: You are a bit taller.
GOH: and I like him as a person very much.
PJK: And I like you too.
GOH: Thank you.
J: Mr Goh, the visit to Malaysia by Mr Keating was a very important
one. You are used to the regional dialogue, the nuances with
Malaysia, how do you assess the success or otherwise of that trip'?
GOH: Well I read the reports in the newspapers that said it went very well
and I am very pleased that the meeting of Prime Minister Keating
went very well in Kuala Lumpur. It is Important that bilateral
relations between any country In the region are strong and certainly
we want to see strong relations between Malaysia and Australia,
Australia and Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and so on. It is
good for the region.
J: ~ Prime* Minister, do you feel there was some movemnent in the
relationship over the last few days between Malaysia and
Australia? TEL
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GOH: Oh from what I have read, 6ertalnly there is movement.
PJK: There is a fine calibration, yqu see, in our lot. They are into the
millimetres of movement, you see.
J: Mr Keating, can you tell us what the main message that you will be
trying to* get across In your Lecture this afternoon?
PJK: Well, I think, rather than me try and anticipate that, it Is a complex
number of Issues there the bilateral relationship that exists
between Australia and Singapore. The principle focus of it is the
way in which the world has changed after the Cold War,
regionalism and t role of regionalism In shaping world events
and, of course, events within regions. It is a very great opportunity
and I was very pleased to be asked and regard it as an honour to
be able to speak at some length about these subjects.
J: Mr Keating, can you comment on the Australian-Singapore New
Partnership? What Is your view?
PJK: Well, I think, in relationships between longstanding friends and we
are longstanding friends there is always, I think, some tendency to
know where the other party is and take them for granted and
believe you understand where they are. And, I think, It Is a good
thing that we stop, pause, occasionally and think about where we
are going and write down what we want to do together. And the
Prime Minister and I have had very great pleasure indeed in
working together both bilaterally and multilaterally and the role that
Singapore plays in this region, Australia's role here too, the things
we have done together in multilateral bodies such as APEC, our
role with ASEAN and the Regional Forum, these sorts of issues,
these are all things which I think that Singapore and Australia have
been able to do together, And just to recite what we have been
doing in APEC, what we are seeking to do with AFTA and
Australasia, our cooperation In the security Issues of the Regional
. Forum, our reaffirmation of our commitment to the Five Power
Defence Arrangements, these are Important statements, I think, of
Where we stand on key issues and, I think, they are very Important
to the peoples of both of our countries, In terms of security, the
Five Power Defence Arrangements the reaffirmaton of them is
important to Singaporeans, I think, as they are to Australians and
the recital of our commitments on economic policy are important to
our communities. And as the Prime Minister remarked in response
to the question about my visit to Malaysia, Malaysia Is also a party
to the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the fact that we all
have a shared commitment to the region, to its prosperity, to its
peace, is an important demonstration of regionalismi the subject I
am addressing some time this afternoon. So these are the Issues
which, I think, are of value to Singaporeans and to Australians.
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J: Mr Goh, during your visit to Australia In 1993 there was a fund that
was set up by both Australia and Singapore to help the private
sector Invest in third countries. How does this New Partnership go
further then that?
GOH: Well. I think, on this Saturday, two parties Australia and Singapore
will be signing another agreement which is on provision of training
to personnel from third countries so that Is In advance over what we
decided to do when we were In Australia.
J: Mr Goh. what is your view on Australia signing of the defence treaty
with Indonesia?
GOH: It Is a good thing, we believe that security has been enhanced in
the region with the signing of this agreement. We believe In a web
of relations between countries, so there can be several tiers in
relations and this'represents another tier of relationships which will
strengthen the overall regional security for the region. We welcome
it.
J; Mr Keating, is there a direct comparison, or any particular
comparison, between the agreements signed with Indonesia last
month and the agreement with Singapore?
PJK Well the agreement with Singapore Is a recital and statement of our
contemporary situation and outlook which encompasses some of
our recent economic history and asserts and reaffirms our
commitment to shared security arrangements In the area.
Of course Australia had no such fundamental agreements with
Indonesia and the fact that we now have one which goes to security
issues, means as the Prime Minister said when speaking about a
web it is a web of regional association and cooperation.
And, therefore, the agreement with Indonesia does, I think, as the
Prime Minister has said, it makes the whole area more secure. It
was very much a declaration about the trust between Australia and
Indonesia and that kind of declaration must give a very good signal
to the whole region. So what we are doing in the declaration today
Is pausing and thinking and stating, again, the things that we have
in common, the objectives we share, which are consistent with and
completely compatible the agreement, for instance, which
Australia has made with Indonesia.
J: Mr Keating. do you expect to sign similar agreements with other
Asian nations, you've signed one with Tokyo etc? It has been a
consistent theme of yours to develop ' anew vision. If so, what sort
of countries would you see next on your list?
T1EL7:. Jan. 96 18: 13 No. 021
PJK: No, there Isn't a list. I mean, there i6 a naturalness about all of
these and they have come for natural and good reasons.
J: Mr Keating, you have always said that to go forward in Asia,
Australia needs to be a republic. in that context, ls the decision by
the New South Wales Government to downgrade the role of
Governor a good step?
PJK: Well, I think, we will deal with domestic, constitutional arrangements
In New South Wales, when we are back In New South Wales.
J: Prime Minister, has Australia had to sacrifice Its commitment to the
pursuit of improved human rights and greater democracy to gain
acceptance In this region?
P1K: No, I mean I am on the record on that on many occasions and the
references have mostly been about Timor and I don't think anybody
who is near the subject belee that Australia is likely to have any
influence beneficial, that is for the East Timorese in a stand-off
with Indonesia. And I made it clear In Australia and I make it clear
again, we are not about to make the Australia/ Indonesia
relationship hostage to one issue. It is an issue I have discussed
often with President Soeharto and it is one that needs to be dealt
with in a framework. But, I think, Australia's democracy, its
strength, its tolerance, are assets for its role in the region and they
don't have to be compromised.
J: Mr Keating, in regard to the hostages taken by Chechen rebels in
southern Russia [ Inaudible]?
PJK;-Oh, I don't think I can say anything new or profound about it. It is a
European problem. It is a problem remote from this region.
We feel the human tragedy very particularly and, I think, my own
wish abou this is that, you know, commonsense allows some of
these problems to be solved.
J: Mr Keating, the recent purchase of Dreamworld by Singaporean
Investors has met with some opposilin. Do-you think this will
discourage Singaporeans from investing In Australia and, in the
light of this, will you continue to pursue your pro-Asia policy with the
some vigour?
PJK: Oh yes. I don't think there is anything superstitious about
Singaporean investors not at all. And I think some hand wringing
in the Australian financial press will not put them off will not put
them off,
ends TEL
( For Immediate Releas]
MINSTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT.
THTE SINGAPORE-AUSTRALIA NEW PARTNERSHI[ P
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Australian Prime Minister* paw
Keatinig today announced the -Sirgpre-Austria Now Partership-. The New
Pci tiership, an initiative which was ccodNcvd during I& Keating's visit to Singapore
in March 1995, gives formal recolaition. to te cooperaton which has grown between
Australia and Singaporc in recent ycars. Slace March 1995, senior officials from
Australia 6d Singapore have worked on the details of this New Partaership through a
scrie. of Joint Comimittee Meetiags in Singapre -and Canberra-. Encoamsing
cooperation in political, security, economic and cultur-al matter, the New Partnmzship
Ls tetimony to the common view shared by both couatrics of the gfrategic
envrwint, both within the region sad globally. The Purtn= 4i will stengtkh= th
cxccecnt relations exist ing between, both counties.
2 Dot Singapore and Australia see dze New Pprtnership as going beyond
mutua beneflt and as one baving a positive imp=~ on the region. Through the
cooperation and eagageineat of both countries in regional and international fora, such
as fth ASEAN Regional Forwrn, the World Trade Organisation and the Asia-Pacic
Economic Cooperation, the Partnership would be a stcp towards the development of a
community of comprehensive cooperation between the countries of Southeast Asia
and Australia and New Zealand. On the economic front the Partnership recognises
that while enhanced economic cooperation wiU be of beacit to both countxies, such
cooperation could also benefit the region, in parficular, joint investment in thid
couwtries. Both 4omntries have also decided to collaborate on technical cooperation
through joint trainin g propammnes tot third coumtzies.
3 As part of the Partnership, Australia and Singapore have decided to
establish a Joint Ministerial Committee led by both countries'. Foreign Ministers
which will meet once every two years to review the progress of cooperation between
both countries.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
17 JANUARY 1996
ate: The text of the Joint Declaration on the Singapore-Australia New
Partnership is attached]
~ RI~ ERSffl~
SA JOINT DECLARATION BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF
AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE
1 After our discussions in Singapore in March 1995, we asked our senior
officials to conduct a comprehensive review of the relationship between Singapore
and Australia.
2 By this Declaration, we now wish to give formal recognition to the new
partnership that has grown up between Australia and Singapore in recent years, and
to signal its future direction and purpose.
3 Australia and Singapore share a common view of the strategic
environment, globally and in the Asia Pacific region. We are committed to
achieving free and open international trade and investment. We both see the United
States' presence and strategic engagement in the region as being of tfundamental
importance to the peace and prosperity of the region.
4 We also have substantial and growing bilateral links, especially in the
commercial sector and through people-to-people ties. Our long-standing dcfence
cooperation has reinforced regional stability.
These are the foundations of our new partnership.
6 The end of the Cold War, changes in strategic relations between great
powers in the Asia Pacific region, the shift in the centre of gravity of global
economic activity from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the associated dynamism of
East Asian economies, present new opportunities as well as uncertainties and
challenges. 7 Our common objective is to ensure that we have in place international
and regional institutions which underpin our shared political, economic and security
interests.
8 . For both Australia and Siapore, the significance of this partnership
goes beyond its importance in their bilateral relationship. For Australia, it is a very
important clement in its engagement with the Southeast Asian region. For
Singapore, it is a recognition of the value it places on Australia's role in regional
affairs. 9 Our partnership will give further impetus to the development of a
coniunity of comprehensive cooperation between the countries of Southeast Asia
and Australia and New Zealand.
To sustain this new partnership, and to build on its objectives Ausumlia
and Singapore accordingly declare.,
We are committed to strengthening APEC, recognising
its status as the premier institution in the Asia Pacific
region. We. ame determined to achieve the practical
ful~ filment and implementation of the Bogor Declaration
and its time-table.
We will work together to see that APflC liberalisation Is
matched by global tad liberalisation. We will
cooperate towards augmenting the WT( Ys role, starting
with the lced up to Singapore's hostg of the 1996
WTO Ministerial Meeting.
We will cooperate in forging linkages, between APTA
and CER
We will cooperate to ensure the success of the ASEAN
Regional Fo= 4m the Asia Pacific's regional security
organisaxion.
-We affrm our shared commitment to the Five Power
Defence Arrangements. The active commitment of all
members will ensure its continuing role as a credible
element in the security architecture of the region.
We welcome the extensive broadening of bilateral
defence cooperation in the last five years. Noting the
benefits to Australian industry which are expected to
follow from the training of Singapore Armed Forces ini
Australia, we agree also to explore further the prospects
for long-term defence industry cooperation.
-We recognise -that cnhanced economic cooperation is in
our mutual interest, and could be of benefit to the region.
Complementarities in our resource endowments, capital
availability and technology usage offer real scope fbr
cooperative ventures. To this end, we agree that:
Our commitment to economic cooperation
embraces both bilateral opportunities and joint
projects that benefit third countries in the region.
Our aim is to eahance and diversify bilateral trade
and investment and joint investment in third
countries. The role of our Governments is primarily to*
facilitate partnerships between Australian and
Singapore companies which meet these criteria.
The process, already undarway, of drawing each
other's attention to specific investment
opportunities will continue.
Our collaboration may include technical
cooperation through joint training programmes
with third countries.
Economic cooperation also includes collaboration
in research and development in areas where both
countries have compatible technological
capabilities, where we can add value by working
together, and where there are prospects for shared
commercial outcomes.
We will encourage the Singapore Australia Business
Alliance Forum's work in identifying and implementing
opportunities that meet the above criteria.
We will work to improve dilalogue and contact between
our Govermnent agencies in the economic and financial
areas. Importanit issues of public policy which would
benefit from an enhanced dialogue include: public
finance, including budget management issues;
superannuation and retirement income systems; and
competition policy.
We are committed to promoting mutual understanding
through expanded cultural exchanges and more peopleto-
people links. In this way we contribute to a broader
sense of community and cooperation in a region of
cultural diversity.
11 We agree to establish a Joint Ministerial Committne to be led by our
respective Foreign, Ministers. The Committee will meet once every two years and
each side would be represented by at least three Ninisters reflecting the range of
bilateral cooperation.
17 JANUARY 1996
SINGAPORE