PM Transcripts

Press Statement No. 207
21 March 1974
AMENDMENT OF THE NORTH WEST CAPE AGREEMENT
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, as Acting Minister
for Foreign Affairs, and the United States Ambassador,
Mr. Marshall Green, today signed and exchanged Notes relating
to amendments to the 1963 Agreement on the North West Cape
Naval Communication Station. The exchange of Notes represents
the first step by the Australian and United States Governments
in giving effect to the arrangements reached as a result of the
negotiations conducted by the Minister for Defence, Mr. Barnard,
with the United States Government in Washington in January.
Three amendments are contained in the Notes. The first
provides for the Station to be operated as a joint facility by
the armed forces of the two Governments. The second will have
the effect of reducing exclusive land rights at North West Cape;
the United States would retain exclusive rights to a communications
building only. The third limits the Australian Government's
financial responsibility for its participation in the joint facility.
The Prime Minister said the Government proposed, following
consideration by the Cabinet, to introduce the necessary amending
legislation to the United States Naval Communications Station
Agreement Act ( 1963). It was intended that this be done, if
practicable, during the current sittings of the Parliament.
The amended Agreement would come into force after legislation
had been enacted and instruments notifying the approval of the
two Governments exchanged.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.