FOR PPT7SS: C
PM, No. 54/ 196* 7
VtSIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN
Statement by the Prime MinisterBk2n. arljgi.
I shall be leaving Australia for a short visit to the United States
and Britain after opening the South-East Asia Treaty Organization ( SEATO)
Conference in Canberra on Monday, June 27.
During my visit I shall have talks with President Johnson, the
Vice-President, Mr. Humphrey, the Secretary of State for Defense,
Mr. McNamara, and other senior members of the United States
Administration. In Britain, I shall be having talks with the Prime
Minister, Mr. Harold Wilson, with Mr. Callaghan, Chancellor of the
Exchequer and other senior Ministers.
During the talks in both the United States and Britain, I will be
discussing major problems now current in the fields of foreign affairs,
develcpment and defence. However there are no specific issues which
require settling on this occasion, and the purpose of the visit is to make
personal contact with the leaders of government in both centres in
continuation of the process of close and friendly consultation which we have
established with them.
I shall return to Australia in time to participate in Cabinet's Budget
discussions, which will be held during the week commencing Monday, July 18.
Further Details
The Prime Minister' s visit follows invitations which he has received
from both President Johnson and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Harold
Wilson. During his time in ' Washington he will see President Johnson,
Mr. Humphrey, Vice-President, Mr. McNamara, the Secretary of State for
Defense, and Mr. George Ball, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Afft irs
( Mr. Rusk will be in Australia at the SEATO Meetings). The Prime Minister
also hopes to be able to renew association with the Secretaries of the Treasury
and Commerce, but not for the negotiation of any particular business. He
will be addressing the National Press Club at a luncheon in Washington on
Thursday, June 30), and a meeting of the Australian/ American Association in
New York on Tuesday, July
W~ hile the Prime Minister is in London he will have an audience with
The Cueen on Thursday, July 7, and will be seeing the British Prime Minister,
Mr. Wilson, on Monday, July 11. He will also be having discussions with
Mr. Callaghan, Chancellor of the E~ xchequer, and Mr. Battomley, Secretary
of State for Commonwealth Relations, and other senior Ministers. He will
be addressing a meeting of the Australia Club on Tuesday. July 12.
Mrs. Holt will accompany the Prime Minister on his visit.
During his visit to Washington, the Prime Minister will be assisted
by the Aus tralian Ambassador;-Mr. J. K. Wailer, and in London by the
Australian High Commissioner, Sir Alexander Downer.
-2-
Official advisers to the Prime Minister during his visit will be
Sir John Bunting ( Secretary, Prime Minister's Department)
Sir Laurence McIntyre ( Deputy Secretary, Department of
External Affairs)
Mr. G. E. Blakers ( Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence)
Mr. P. H. Bailey ( Prime Minister's Department)
Mr. P. C. J. Curtis ( Department of External Affairs)
Mr. J. H. Scholtens ( Prime Minister's Department)
Two members of the Prime Minister's personal staff ( his Private
Secretary. Miss P. De Lacy, and his Press Secretary Mr. A. Eggleton)
will also accompany the Prime Minister. Mr. M. W. O'Donnell will be
available as adviser in both Washington and London.
CANBERRA 17th June 1966.