PM Transcripts

Acting MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
FOR PRESS AUSTRALIA AID TO REFUGEES IN INDO-CHINA
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Whitlam, announced
today that a contribution of $ 200,000 was being given as an initial
response to an urgent appeal from the International Committee of
the Red Cross for funds to assist its Indo-China Operational Group
in making purchases for refugees in Cambodia and Vietnam. A
Wcheque for this amount was given to the President of ICRC by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Willesee, in Geneva yesterday.
The Australian Government is giving money to the ICRC and
similar organisations because they are uniquely qualified to assist
refugees on both sides of the existing lines of military control.
Clear information about the requirements of the vast numbers
of displaced persons in Cambodia and Vietnam is difficult to obtain
under present circumstances but the immediate cash grant will allow
purchases of food, tents and medical supplies. As the situation
develops, Australia will look sympathetically at the possibility of
giving further aid through the Red Cross and similar organisations.
Mr Whitlam commended the extremely valuable work being carried
out by the Red Cross and by other mult'Cilateral organisations in
the very difficult conditions in Indo-China. Earlier contributions
to the Red Cross for Indo-China relief made by Australia were
$ 277,000 in 1973/ 74 and $ 100,000 in November 1974. Contributions
were also made in November last to the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees ($ 500,000) and to UNICEF ($ 400,000).
Mr Whitlam said that the Australian Government was in close
contact with all the international humanitarian organisations caring
for refugees in Vietnam and Cambodia and he anticipated that
substantial further contributions would be made by Australia if the
situation so required.
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