NQ DATE
M4/ 136 21 September 1973
AUSTRALIAN AID TO0 INDO-CHINA
The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr VWhitlam, today announced a further stage in the Government's
plan to contribute to the post-war reconstruction of all
countries in Indo-China.
Mr Whitlam said that Australia's first consignment
of aid for North Viet-Nam had now been shipped by the chartered
vessel " Cosmos" and was expected to reach Haiphong early next
month. The shipment was valued at $ 600,000 and comprised 70g000
kilos of wool and 760 -bons of roofing i-ron. Mr Whitlam said
the recently established Australian Embassy in Hanoi would be in
a position to discuss further requests for aid,
In reaffairming the Government's decision to participate
generously in aid programs for Indo-China, irrespective of the
politics of the people concerned or their Governments, Mr W,. hitlam
recalled that Australia had already given $ U5250,000 to the
Indo-China Operations Group of the international Red Cross for
humanitarian aid for the whole of Indo-China and a further
$ 250,000 to UNICEF to assist maternal and child welfare,
Mr WPhitlam also gave details of Australian aid for
South Viet-Nam, and outlined proposals for Laos and the Khmer
Republic.
2
In South Viet-Nam, he said, most of Australia's
aid was being directed to projects such as town water supply
schemes, which were regarded as a major factor in improving
public health. Current projects included the provision of Australian
equipment and engineering assistance in the development of
water supply schemes for Da Nang and Vung Tau. The projects would
be developed over the next six years with Australia contributing
$ 6.7 million in the Da Nang scheme and $ 3 million at Vung Tau.
Another $ 3.5 million was being provided to South Vietn'i
National Water Supply Agency and $ 1.6 million to the Saigon
Metropolitan Water Office, in the form of pipes, fittings and
ancillary equipment.
Mr Whitlam added that provision had been made in the
current financial year for Australia to give more aid to Laos
for irrigation, forestry and educational projects, and to the
Khymer Republic for irrigation, flood control and electric powe*
projects.