EOUTH-EAST ASIAN VISIT
TELEVISION BROADCAST-7VE5-Y THE PRIME T4INISTER, THE RT. EON.
WILLIAM McMAJION, C. IH.,
ON ABC NATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK 18 JUNE, 1972.
Good Evening:
As Prime Minister of Australia, I believe it is my duty to
report to you about my recent mission to Indonesia, Singapore and
Malaysia. My purpose in going was to discuss a wide range of issues of
national and international importance, flowing from the recent
dramatic changes in world affairs. I also wanted to strengthen the
confidence and goodwill between Australia and these three
neighbour nations.
A glance at the map will show how close and important they are
to us. We have growing trade and economic ties with them. We want
to promote their development and economic growth in our and their
long term interests, and we have a common interest in the peace,
defence and security of the environment in which we live.
So I thought it was an opportune time to go because so many
changes have occurred recently which vitally affect the future of
our country. President Nixon's visits to Peking and Moscow have
reduced tension between the great nowers the United States, Soviet
Russia and the People's Renublic of China.
But the dust has not yet settled and the outcome cannot yet be
clearly seen in the Asian theatre.
We do know that despite the great nower accord, North Vietnam
is still irVWlding South Vietnam. Many countries in our region are
under internal threat by subversive elements supported from outside,
and there is increasing competition betw., een the Soviet Union and
China for political influence. All this means that the prospects
for peace and stability in South-East Asia are still uncertain.
If we are to imnrove these prospects for the future, we must
work together to strengthen our economies to become more self--
reliant and to strengthen our defence capabilities.
During my visit, I talked at length with President Soeharto of
Indonesia, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Prime Miinister
Tun Razak of Malaysia and with many of their senior Ministers.
2
Mow let us look at each of the three countries I visited.
Indonesia is a country of one hundred and twenty million
people. It is a few hours' flight to our North and is our nearest
neighbour. It is the fifth most populous nation on earth and the
only foreign country with which we share a border.
In the last few years it has made a remarkable recovery
from near anarchy. Substantial assistance was given by us to
Indonesia during this period, and it is in our own interest to
continue to do so.
With President Soeharto, I mapped out a programme for
co-operation in economic, cultural, defence and political matters over
the next few years. I was able to tell the President that the
Australian Government had decided to make a new three-year grant of
$ 69 million for economic aid up to June 1976.
0 As well, our three-year programme for technical and
defence assistance to Indonesia will be increased to help build up
its capability to defend itself. We will provide 16 Sabre fighter
aircraft and we will help the Indonesians equip a military airfield as
the base for them. Te are willing to carry out exercises between
our two Navies. We also agreed to consider ways of expanding trade
and increased investment by Australian companies there.
In the busy, progressive island nation of Singapore,
there is great warmth towards us. As the Prime " inister, Mr Lee
said to me " This isn't the time to be changing friends."
Singapore, as you all know, has strong traditional ties
of friendship and many common interests with us. They want to
co-operate in all kinds of ways.
For twenty years ncw, some 1,00 Siigaporean students
have been studying each year in Australia. And Australians are
visiting Singapore at the rate of over 30,000 a year. S150 million
worth of trade is exchanged between us each year. This trade is
very much in Australia's favour so our two Governments will be
looking at new ways and means of helping Singapore to expand its
trade with Australia. A battalion of our Army and other elements of our
armed forces are stationed there. They will stay there whilst they
are wanted. Our talks showed how close are our interests and our
views on the present world situation and particularly on South-East
Asia and its problems. We both want a negotiated settlement in
Indo-China that will enable the peoples of South Vietnam, Laos and
Cambodia to determine their own future without outside interference.
It was emphasised whilst I was in Singapore how helpful
and stabilising was the role Australia is playing, and how much it
contributes to building confidence and the prospects of development
in the future. / 3
-3
My last three days were in Malaysia. In Prime Minister
Tun Razak's words " We have been allies-in war arnd peace. And
good steady friends for a long time." This is true..
We are partners in the Commonwealth and--we are linked
as partners in many other ways. There are over 6,000 Malaysian
students in Australia today more than from any other country.
Malaysia has its Second Malaysia Plan a national
economic programme designed to accelerate economic activity and
progress for the malaysian people. It is an ambitious plan in
which Australia is closely interested and involved.
Malaysia is also one of the Principal supporters of
what is known as the Kuala Lumpur Declaration by members of ASEAN
that is, the Association of South-East Asian Nations. The Kuala
Lumpur Declaration is a proposal that South-East Asia should be
a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.
Australia is not a member of ASENbut we have good
relations with all its members. The goals set out in the Declaration
are fully consistent with my Government's policies if effective
international guarantees can be obtained. And I told Tun Razak we
welcomed the Declaration as an important regional initiative.
I believe our discussions on the Declaration and
the Five Power Defence Arrangements have deepened our understanding
of each other's Policies.
I discussed the Five Power Defence Arrangements with
both Malaysia and Singapore. These Arrangements are working smoothly.
They will remain in full force and effect. I can assure you our
forces are welcomed in both ccuntries.
While I was away, there was some confusion here about the
attitude of Malaysia to the Five Power Arrangements. Let me state the
position in the considered words of the Prime Minister of Malaysia
" The continuing presence of Australian Forces, both land and
air, in Malaysia-Singapore in the context of the arrangements
is welcomed by the Malaysian Government and contributes to
defence and confidence in that area."
Those were his words.
There are no differences whatsoever between Australia
and Malaysia, or between Australia and Singapore, under these
arrangements. The mission was widely and accurately covered by the
local newspapers and television in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The editorial comments were complimentary and reflected real warmth
towards Australia and Australians.
Looking back, I am sure the mission was a success
and did a great deal to promote our friendships and our standing
among our Asian neighbours. I believe our mission achieved its
objectives that we are welcomed as friends and our policies are
a helpful and stabilising influence in South-East Asia.