EL3.. ARGO -OfZ--F LdtLE" E BEFORE. 11 Pm 1 9/ 4/ 1 972
PRIME MINISTER'\ 89~~
FOR PRESS PM. No. 37/ 1972
VISIT TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA
It was announced today that the Prime Minister,
the Rt. Hon. William cMahon, CHi, MP, would make official visits
to a number of South-East Asian countries in June.
? r McMahon will visit Indonesia from 5 to 8 June,
Singapore from 9 tZo 11 June and Malaysia from 11 to 14 June.
The visits reflect the Australian Government's
long-standing interest in the region and the importance of its
friendship with the governments concerned.
The Prime Minister's visits take place at a time
of rapid and far-reaching changes in the international scene which
affect the whole South-East Asian area. The Prime Minister will
take advantage of his visits to discuss with the leaders of the
friendly countries of Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia a wide
range of international issues which have a bearing on the region.
Australia shares with her three neighbours similar
views on the independence, progress and stability of the region
and on the importance of regional co-operation and national
resilience. The Prime Minister's visits therefore come at a
particularly appropriate time.
Australia's association with Indonesia dates back
to the first days of Indonesia's independence. Particularly close
relations have been developed in recent years, extending over
many fields of co-operative endeavour.
The strength and cordiality of these relations was
demonstrated during the successful visit recently made by President
and Madame Soeharto to Australia. At that time President
Soeharto issued an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit
Indonesia and it is in response to this invitation that the Prime
Minister's visit will be taking place. / 2
2
It is expected that many of the initiatives for
deepening Indonesian/ Australian relations which were discussed
during President Soeharto's visit will be taken forward by the
Prime Minister while he is in Djakarta. The Prime Minister
lookcs forward to renewing his close personal relationship with
President Soeharto.
The Prime Minister welcomes the opportunity to visit
Singapore, a friendly Commonwealth partner with whom Australia
shares many interests bilateral, regional and international.
He last visited Singapore in 1971, and it will be a great
rleasure to him to renew the friendshins then established. He
looks forward to fruitful discussions on a wide range of questions
of mutual concern to Autralia and Singapore.
Australian relations with Malaysia, anothar Commonwealth
partner, have been characterised since their inception by frequent
consultations at the highest level. The Prime Minister sees his
visit as part of this continuing process. He believes that
such consultations will contribute to further improvement in
the already close ties which exist between Australia and Malaysia
in so many fields.
When details of the programme in the respective
countries have been determined they will be announced.
CANBERRA, 19 April, 1972