PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Gorton, John

Period of Service: 10/01/1968 - 10/03/1971
Release Date:
01/05/1969
Release Type:
Press Conference
Transcript ID:
2042
Document:
00002042.pdf 3 Page(s)
Released by:
  • Gorton, John Grey
SECOND VISIT TO THE US 1969 - SYDNEY, N.S.W. - DEPARTURE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN GORTON AT MASCOT AIRPORT - 1 MAY 1969

I I-NAY ' PO~
SECOND VLSLT TO THE US 1969
S { D1 E Y, N. S. W.
DEPARTURE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE
PRIME MINISTER, MR TOHN1 GORTON AT M OASC
AIRPORT 1 MAY 1969
Q. Prime Minister, it was suggested today that a US Senate
Committee will investigate both Pine Gap and Woomera installations. Do
you know anything about this?
PM:-No. All know about it is that I read a headline in one of the
Sydney evening papers to that effect.
Q. Are you worried that any such investigation would prejudice
the security of the installations?
PM: I would merely have this to say, both on Woomera and Pine
Gap that as far as .; am concerned I would not urge the United States
to make public any information which the United States felt would derogate
from the usefulness of those installations.
Q. . t was suggested in the same article that Pine Gap was used
for chemical warfare research.
PM: I have never heard that. i understand, and believe that
there are no chemical warfare experiments going on anywhere in
Australia, as far as I know.
Q. What particular defence points do you want to discuss in
America?
PM: Oh, quite a wide range of matters all dealing with defence.
I couldn't possibly enumerate them all. Y'ou wouldn't expect me to.
Q. Mr Gorton, what are the important issues you will be
discussing with the President?
PM: There again, I don't believe you would expect me to give
a list. " it wouldn't be exhauscive. I might leave something out. I might
mention something that, as it turned out, we didn't discuss. I think all
I can say is " a wide range of matters dealing with our security and our
relations with the United States and a continuation of the talks which last
time were begun. And that is really all 11 can say.
Q. Sir, do you expect to find any more evidence of isolationism
in the attitude of the US Administration towards South-East Asia both
militarily and politically?

2-
PM: Have I ever said i found any evidence of isolationiam
Q. Y'ou have not personally,
PM:-Well how could I find any more. You asked me if
I expect to find any more evidence and I want to make it clear that
so far I haven't detected evidence of isolatiods m in the talks I have
had over there.
Q. What aspects of the Vietnam peace talks will you be
discussing with the President?
PM: i couldn't tell you at this stage, but undoubtedly the
subject of peace talks will be raised and talked about, as to what
aspects, I couldn't tell you now.
Q. Will you be talking about withdrawing Australian
troops?
PM: I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future
as has already been explained by the Minister for Defence and the
Minister for the Army. But it must depend on the way things develop,
and no-one can tell precisely how things will develop.
Q. Sir are they ready to retain their role in Asia?
PM: To retain their interest in Asia? I believe the United
States would retain its interest in Asia in one form or another without
special request.
Q. Will you be urging this on the Americans?
PM: . don't think there will be any need for me to urge it.
But of course Australia would like the United States to retain an
interest in Asia, but i don't think there will be any need to specially
urge that. I think it will happen.
Q. Any specific reason for another return trip to Canada
on the way back?
PM: Really just because this is somnething like the fourth
rushed trip in a year or less than a year, and the specific reason
is to have a couple of days somewkere to sleep before the final
hop back.

-3-
Q. Will you be seeing Mr Trudeau?
PM: I am not sure. I don't think so. I would be delighted
if he w, re able to spend a day to come and see us; I would be very
pleased, but that would be subject to his own engagements in Ottawa.
Q. How would you sum up what you expect from your
talks?
PM: I would like to sum them up when I come back and
when I talk to Parliament.

2042