* FOR PRESS: PM No 16/ 1972
INDONESIAN-AUSTRALIAN JOINT STATEMENT
At the conclusion of official discussions held at
Parliament House, Canberra, on 7 February, .1972, President Soeharto
of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr McMahon, issued
the following joint statement.
" President Soeharto and Mr McMahon expressed their
satisfaction at the close relations which had developed
between the two countries.
They recorded their ' belief that strong and enduring
ties of friendship and co-operation between Australia and
Indonesia would be a major element for the future peace
and development of the region.
They reviewed developments in the Asian and Pacific
region. Their talks confirmed the basic similarity of the
two countries in their approach to developments in the
re g in. Their talk8 were very timely because of the rapid
developments taking place in the region, and they believed
that the two governments should keep closely in touch
through frequent and frank consultations. In future regular
aninual meetings of officials of t he two countries would be
held on foreign policy matters.
President Soeharto stated that in order to build stable
and developing societies, the countries of South-East Asia
needed political stability and tranquillity. Security and
calm were essential for the improvement of the economic
situation and the implementation of development.
He explained that Indonesia believed that the countries
of South-East Asia could meet and overcome subversive pressures
and threats to regional security through building up their
national self-reliance and national resilience.
Hb Said th~ it IndonesiA beli ! ved that theresbonsibility
rested on his country and the other countriesi of South-East
Asia to meet the challenges by using their material and
spiritual resources for more progress and more welfare for
their peoples.
Mr Mcfiahon said that security and tranquillity in-
South-East Asia were of the greatest national importance to
Australia. He said that under President Soeharto's leadership,
Indonesia had been able to create and maintain national
stability which contributed greately to the stability of the
South-East Asian region. / 12.
2
" He went on to say that the Australian Government
and people were committed to the policy of sun-porting
the governments of South-East Asia in their efforts to 0
secure their freedom and independence, to build their
national institutions, and to create more welfare and
greater opportunities for their peoples.
Australia's economic aid and technical assistance
had been steadily increasing year by year in accordance
with the development of Australia's economy. This policy
would be maintained in the future. Mr McMahon referred to
the current three-year aid programme of A53.8 million
for Indonesia. He said that Australia would continue to
give high priority to Indonesia in its aid programme.
He agreed that security and stability went hand
in hand with economic improvement and development.
Australia's orogrammes of assistance would help strengthen
the capacity of the administrations, the networks of
communicetions and transportatbn, and the security of the
neighbouring countries.
President Sooharto said that Indonesia welcomed
Australia's growing interest in and contribution to regional
development, peace and modernisation in South-East Asia.
He expressed the appreciation of his government and people
for the aid provided by Australia which was given without
any obligation for repayment and was planned over a period
of years. He also welcomed the growing involvement of
Australian humanitarian and welfare bodies in rendering
assistance. His Government noted and encouraged the growth
of Australian business and investment activities in
Indonesia. He welcomed the opportunity which his present visit
would give him to meet with Australian business leaders.
His Government looked to a developing economic partnership
between Indonesia and Australia.
Mr McMahon explained to President Soeharto
Australia's policy of promoting the economic development
and political advancement of Paoua New Guinea. Australia
would accede to the wishes of the people of Papua New
Guinea, expressed through their elected representatives,
about their political future.
President Soeharto and Mr McMahon noted the
growing cultural, intellectual and professional links
between Australia and Indonesia. These were being stimulated
by the exchanges of artists and groups under the agreement
of cultural co-operation and by the programmes of sunnort
for Indonesian universities undertaken by the Vice-Chancellors
Committee of the Australian Universities. Mr McMahon drew
President Soeharto's attention to the increasing study of
the Indonesian language, culture and history in Australia,
which brings home to us the vitality and richness of
Indonesian civilisation. / 3
3
" President Soeharto and Mr McMahon welcomed
the partial seabed boundary negotiated between the two
countries early last year. They agreed that all
outstanding seabed boundary questions should be negotiated
at an early date.
The President and the Prime Minister expressed
their faith in the future of the friendship of the two
countries based on wider understanding and deeper
co-operation. President and Madamo Soeharto extended an
invitation to the Prime Minister and Mrs Mcklahon to
visit Indonesia. The invitaton was accepted with pleasure.
The President said that he and Madame Soeharto
and members of their party expressed their deep appreciation
of the warm welcome and gracious hospitality accorded
to them by the people and Government of Australia."
CANBERRA, 7 February 1972