F76/ 47
1! QA WEA MBARGO: CCHEEKCA GAINST D15I. R
FOR PRESS 3 March 1976
PRIME MINISTER' S ADDRESS AT THE PARLIAMENTARY LUNCHEON
FOR THE KING OF JORDAN
I have great pleasure in welcoming His Majesty, the
Kin ofJordan, to Australia.
It is also a great honour that His Majesty could be accompanied
by Her Majesty Queen Alia and their. Royal Highnesses Princess
Alia and Princess Basma.
A ustralians, indeed most people have admired King Hussein's
determination and personal courage,, a courage and determination
that he has demonstrated since he came to the throne at the age.
of seventeen.
Few men could have surmounted with such ability and grace the
problems which have faced the King throughout his career.
O Even fewer men could have combined the King's capacity to deal
so effecively with political and military issues while pursuing
a multiplicity of other activities flying, racing Mercedes
O c3o00n suSmL, m atfee ncsiknigl, l . horse riding at all, let alone with the King's
King THussein has ruled Jordan during a time of great turbulence
in the Middle East. A time marked not only by high tension
and open conflict between the Middle East States but also the
superpowers open involvement and competition in the region.
Through these conflicts, the King of Jordan has acted as a
force for responsibility and moderation in the relation~ s
between Middle East States.
His attempts to render Middle Eastern conflicts more amenable to
resolution, give him a great claim to international respect
and understanding.
They also give the world a right to be optimistic about the
future of peace, and mutual accommodation in the area.
As well as his record in international affairs, the King's
astute planning has made a great contribution to Jordan's
economic advancement and its recovery from the damage brought
by war.
Australia is concerned that there should be a just and lasting
settlemrent in the Middle East, a settlement which accords
with the international accepted principles established
by the U. N. Security Council and which takes' account of the.
legitimate interests of all the groups concerned.
The just recognition and realisaticn of the legitimate claims
of all groups in the Middle East constitutes the touchstone of
our fpolicy in the area.
King Hussein is the first Arab Head of State to visit Australia.
The Australian Government look s forward to the opportunity
prbvided by his visit to gain the deeper appreciation of the
Middle East's problems, and the possibilities of their
resolution that personal discussions with a man of his knowledge
and stature can bring.
We hope that the King will not only be able'to have productive
discussions with the Australian Government but also see and
enjoy the continent of Australia and meet the Australian people.
Perhaps he will also have the opportunity to pursue some of
the other activities in which he has gained such a formidable expertise
despite his onerous duties as Head of State.'