PM Transcripts

VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA 1968
ARRIVAL STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
MR. JOHN GORTON, AT RAAF FAIRBAIRN ON RETURN
FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA 17 JUNE 1968
Since leaving Canberra twelve days ago, I have visited four
of Australia's nearest neighbours in South East Asia.
It has been, I hope, a valuable journey and has contributed to
closer relations with the countries visited, besides demonstrating Australia's
continuing interest in the security and advancement of South East Asia.
In Vietnam I was honoured to visit our servicemen at their
Woperational bases. I found them in great shape. Their morale is high and they
are doing their job with resolve and confidence in the finest Anzac tradition.
Talks held in Saigon with Vietnamese leaders and senior American officials
were also helpful. In Singapore and Malaysia, we discussed a variety of matters,
and in particular the future stability and development of the South East Asian
region in the wake of the British with~ drawal.
I was particularly pleased to be able to visit Indonesia, our
nearest nieighbour. There, I had Lengthy private discussions with President
Soeharto which I think will further friendship, co-operation and understanding
between our countries. An agreement to increase cultural exchanges were
* signed between our two countries while I was in Djakarta.
One benefit from the visit is that I now have personal relationships
with the leaders of the four count Aies whose futures are closely related to our
own and this should be in itself of benefit in meeting challenges which the future
Omay hold.
Note: The Prime Minister is now due at Fairbairn between 10. 30 and
11. 30 p. m. this evening. Because of the late hour, he will not be giving a press
conference. The above statement will cover his return. He will be speaking
in more detail, and answering questions, when he is Guest of Honour of the
National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday. A. EGGLETON
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister