PRES OFFCE TANS3C1I PJTATNHUUARRYS D1A9Y8,0
PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE
WASHINGTON Prime Minister
I would like to say at the outset that there have been very useful and
productive discussions with the President, with Secretary of State Vance,
and Deputy Secretary of Defence. Those discussion. I believe have shown
the remarkable identity of view and of interest in the recent events that have
emerged in Afghanistan and in relation to Iran..
Australia believes that this does represent a very serious and a very
dangerous situation. We believe that there is a long haul ahead of all
independently-minded countries, of which the United States of course is in the
lead and foremost, and that there is a long haul ahead of us that could extend
over a number of years. We are in a different environment. Maybe what has
happened in Afghanistan has made us all see the Soviet Union in its aggressive
acts more plainly than was the case before. In this new environment it is our
view that we need a collective determination on the part of as many independentlyminded
countries as possible to make sure that a recurrence of the kind of
events that have occurred in Afghanistan will not be with us. These are matters
of great and fundamental importance. That of course is why I am here, with the
full authority of the Australian Cabinet, to discuss these matters with the
President, to go on for discussions in the United Kingdom, in Bonn and in Paris.
I believe that it is important for a country such as Australia to have the
clearest possible understanding of the views of the major countries7 and of this
country in particular-as an assistance, and a necessary ingredient, in our own
future policy determination. I must say that I am delighted with what I have
seen in the United States, of United States intentions in what has happened
in recent weeks.
Wecioi. Australia, from our perspective, believe that it is very important that
the United States stand against agression and in this case, take a very strong
position against what the Soviet Union has done in Afghanistan. That has occurred.
The United States actions stand clear. The President has made a necessary and
enormously important statement in the State of the Union message which spelt out
in clear terms the interests and intentions of the United States. Now that
has provided a lead to many other countries, and it has given confidence to many
other countries. This again, I believe, will help in establishing a collective
will, a collective determination, which will establish an environment which
will be designed to deter the Soviets from pursuing any further Aighanistans.
In the Australian view, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan does establish a more
dangerous situation than that-. which prevailed in Berlin, or Cuba, or Korea, in
earlier times. All of those challenges ' to~ ithe. Western world were important. They
represented an ideological challenge. They were also events of great regional
significance. Those ingredients are very much present in the circumstances of
Afghanistan. But beyond that, in Afghanistan there is a further ingredient:
possession of A'fghanistan by the Soviet Union, the presence of their forces there,
is likely to open up opportunities in the future for a move through Iran, perhaps,
gaining an influence or a control over a part of Middle East oil. If that were to
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PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE -2-
Prime Minister ( continued)
occur, the Soviet Union would gain an enormous weapon which could severely
damage or even destroy many advanced industrial economies, many economies,
right around the world. That is an added ingredient that was not present
in relation to the Berlin blockade, the Korean War, or the Cuban missile incident.
For these reasons, Australia takes a very serious view about it indeed.
Quite plainly, what 14 million people can do in these circumstances is limited.
But we take the view that if a country has a view, as we have, we ought to state
it, and to the extent that we can, we ought to act upon it. We take the view
that it is not good enough to sit back and wait until everyone else has acted,
because if every nation does that nobody will act. The United States which has,
could well be left standing alone. Leadership of the independent nations of
the world is an awesome responsibility. I believe that the Presidency of this
nation, of the United States, is clearly the toughest and the hardest job in the
world, that there must be many times when it was also the loneliest job in the
world. I would believe on these occasions that not only the United States' President,
but the American people might like to know that there are other governments and
people that have a very similar view to their own about the importance of
certain events. I do carry that message from my own Cabinet, and from the vast
majority of the Australian people, who would share with the people of this
nation. a very common concern about events in Afghanistan.
There are other elements of course, in that particular invasion. it was a
non-aligned country. : That offers something of a warning to many nations around
the world who might have thought that the position of a non-aligned status
would give them immunity from this kind of aggression. It, of course, is the
first time there has been an invasion outside the accepted area of the Soviet power
bloc. Those are also two additional reasons which cause us to re-assess the
circumstances and the strategic environment in which we live.
In addition to these matters, the'Ptesident of course has had to deal in a firm
way with the enormously difficult and tragic problem of the hostages in Iran.
I would like to, on this public occasion, extend to the President not only my
own sympathy and the sympathy of the Government and the Australian people. but
extend that sympathy to all the people of the United States for what they have' had
to endure during the period in which some of their own citizens have been held
hostage. We are obviously delighted, as everyone must be, that a small number
of hostages have been able to get out of Iran and that Canada has been able to
help and be of assistance in that. I think that was wonderful news. We will all
be looking forward to the day when all those hostages are released safely, just as
eagerly I believe, as will the people of the United States. Our sympathy and
support goes to the President the United States people in that particular instance.
We have taken a number of decisions on our own account, of which I informed the
President today. I said that I thought that we were now in a changed strategic
environment. That has some consequences. A little while ago we offered to the
United States to take on greater responsibilities for patrolling and surveillance
in the Indian Ocean. That has been very warmly accepted by the United States.
Officials of our defence departments and defence forces will be consulting together
quite urgently to work out the best way in which that can be encompassed. ./ 3
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE -3-
Prime Minister ( continued)
It is likely that there will be a requirement for greater use of staging
facilities through Australia. It is likely that there will be a requirement
for greater joint exercises between United States and Australian forces.
We will be looking forward to doing everything we can to assist in those
particular measures if the need arises.
We have already authorised a review of our own defence expenditure. I can only
say in.-the circumstances it is highly likely that the Government will accept
an increased requirement for additional defence in Australia.
We have also made a decision to offer to consult with and provide additional
co-operation with our regional partners in relation to some of these matters,
but that is something that we would need to discuss very closely with them.
We are going to provide additional civil aid in the South Pacific. There are
a number of small and fragile economies in the South Pacific, new nations,
island states, and I think it is important that collectively we do what we
can to achieve a greater rate of advancement in their own economies. This,
again, is in part a response to the changed environment that we are in.
Over the last three years our civil aid to countries of the Pacific has grown
very greatly, but we had made a decision in principle a week or two ago to provide
additional support and additional aid. I informed the President of that.
We expect there will be early discussions between defence personnel of the
United States and of Australia to work out the defence matters between us. We
also discussed a greater co-operation in coal and shale oil technology. Both
of us will be reviewing the opportunities for more co-operation in those areas
which are of an obvious importance in the current energy crisis.
We also jointly agreed that there is a need to seek by all means of which we
are capable, to do more to assist the economic take -off in third world economies.
That represents a continuing and pressing problem which must be of concern to
many nations. In the environment, aswe move florward through the 809, 1 think it will
be important to try and achieve a greater rate of progress than might have occurred
in past years.
It is now open to you for questions. 4
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PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT THURSDAY, 31 JANUARY 1980
PRIME MINISTER' S PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE
QUESTIONS Question Prime Minister, the State Department told us that Australia has been helpful
to the Americans in the case of the hostages in Tehran. Can you reveal what
Australia has done, what Australia is doing to help the Americans?
Prime Minister
No. We have not been part of the release of the hostages which were assisted
through the Canadian Embassy. I am not saying we would not have been helpful,
but the plain fact remains that was something which was arranged by the
United States and the Canadians.
Question Is Australia taking part in negotiations perhaps on behalf of the Americans,
with the Revolutionary Council of the Iranian Government?
Prime Minister
On the geseral question of hostages, we have sought to be helpful, and if through
exchanges in communications there is anything that we can do, of course
we will. I had thought that your question was related to the release of the
six hostages. I might have misunderstood it in the first instance. But I
cannot go into the details of the way in which Australia from time to time might
be a channel of communication in that particular matter.
Question Can you say whether. our Ambassador is involved?
Prime Minister
No. I do not think it would be helpful to pursue it.
Question Prime Minister, could you explain at all your mention of a larger role for
Australia in the IndianO~ ean. When will the talks on what you are going to
do begin, and will you actually put ships into the Indian Okean?
Prime Minister
Well, we have ships in the Indian Ocean and we have our Orion maritime
surveillance aircraft patrolling around Australia. They obviously now
patrol some aspects of the Indian Ocean. What we have said is that we
are prepared to do more, and that might involve ships. It could involve
aircraft. It could involve ship visits. our defence people have to work
out the best way our increased effort can be accommodated within the total
overall objective. Now, I hope they will both get down to it. and do it as quickly
as possible, but we are prepared to act upon it just as soon as our defence
people can come to their decisions about the best way of doing it.
Question What is the size of your naval presence there now?
Prime Minister
Oh, it would vary. It is obviously small compared to your navy. We have
established a major new naval facility on the coast of Western Australia
which would have, the capacity ' of being used much more than has been the case.
When I was Defence Minister ten years ago we agreed that that facility
would be available for the use of United States ships if they wanted it.,
as they have used other Australian facilities from time to time.
The numbers of ships that we would have in the Indian Ocean varies, but we
have obligations in South East Asia and also in the Pacific. It is not only
an Indian Ocean matter that we look at.
Quest ion
Where-.-. are the facilities sir?
Prime Minister
At Cockburn Sound, south ' of Perth, Western : Australia. It is A major new naval
facility that has been constructed over recent years.
Question
Was-the question of providing home base facilities for the American Navy
discussed at all?
Prime Minister
It is too early to go into details of what might happen, what sort of facilities
might be required. What is most likely is staging facilities for onward transport
through Australia to other parts. The United States, I understand, is firming up
its own requirement over the next few weeks and after that would be able to
speak to us with more precision than they were able to do today.
Question Prime Minister, on the question of the hostages, just to clear that up, are
we channelling coimunications from the United States to the,. Iranian Government?
/ 6
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Prime Minister
Oh~ look, there have been some communications as I understand it. If we can
be helpful because we have our Embassy in Tehran, we would certainly want to be.
But I do not really want to say more than that.
Question Prime Minister, did you discuss the Westinghouse Case and the application of
anti-trust laws?
Prime Minister
No. We did not discuss bilateral matters of that kind.
Question Prime Minister, did you seek anything specific from the President? Did you
ask him, for example, to take tougher sanctions against the Russians, or did
you specifically seek a greater American presence in the Indian Ocean?
Prime Minister
There is no need to seek a greater American presence in the Indian Ocean,
because that greater presence is there. That decision has been made. What
we how have to do is to seek to accommodate a greater effort by Australia
into that and work out the best way it can contribute to a total effort.. In addition,
of course, the United States is undertaking long-term planning and so must we.
That is where the review of our own expenditures would be highly relevant.
Quest ion
What about the question of further economic sanctions against the Soviet Union?
Prime Minister
No. That question did not arise. In talks with Secretary Vance, I mentioned
the fact that we had frozen the exports of some materials, raw materials, to the
Soviet Union, pending an examination of the matter by the Australian Government.
our officials will be discussing what is called the COCOM list, which is broadly
a high-technology list of exports which European countries and the United States
broadly refrain from exporting to the Soviet Union. But it also has some
strategic materials on that list. Our officials will be consulting together
to see whether it is possible to get to an agreed position in relation to it.
That would obviously seem to make much more sense. Now, those discussions will
take place and there will be a report to the Government as a result.
Question Prime Minister, one more question from me. There ire-still four U. S. Embassy
people unaccounted for in Tehran. Is there any possibility that they are at
our Embassy or that we know anything about them?
Prime Minister
I have absolutely no knowlege of that whatsoever. / 17
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE -7-
Question Prime Minister, in relationship to your statement on the great collective
effort in the region around Australia, does this imply that you might be
thinking of re-fashioningci..-alliances such as ANZUS, SEATO, or
even encouraging talks with NATO powers to create a new form of defence alliance
independently of the United States?
Prime Minister
I do not think it is a question of forming new defence alliances. Recent
events have re-established in stark terms the relevance of the ANZUS alliance,
and that is obviously important so far as we are concerned. But when I
meant collective determination I was not talking just about our own region. I
believe there needs to be a collective determination amongst all those nations
that have a concern for the* independence of nations, for the right of nations
to govern themselves. Unless we can exhibit that collective determiination,
I believe we face a difficult and serious time ahead of us, for reasons which
I would have made plain to you. This . can-' emerge, and I would hope will emerge,
through the decisions of nations, through the attitudes they take, through their
own determination and through their own will. This is what it is really all
about, the will and the determation.
Question On the Olympic Games, if President Carter does announce on the 20th or 21st
of February that the United States will not participate in the Moscow Olympics,
will the Australian Government follow suit by boycotting the Games and take necessary
measures to ensure that Australian sportsmen do not participate in
the Moscow Games?
Prime Minister
Our own position at this point is I thiink identical with that of the United
States. Our own -Olympic Comm~ ittee has undertaken to put our view to the
International Olympic Committee and after that there will obviously be discussions
between the Olympic Committee and the Australian Government. But let me only say
I believe an effective boycott of the Olympic Games is one thing that would bring
home to the Soviet Union and to the Russian people, more starkly than anything
else, the determination of the world outside the Soviet influence to demonstrate
their opposition and abhorrence of their invasion of Afghanistan. It is Possible
for the Russian Government to hide the impact of sanctions from-their own people
for quite some time. But it is not possible for them to hide the impact of
an effective boycott of the Olympic Games. They plainly want the Olympic Games
to be a major public relations success within the Soviet Union, with the athletes
of all countries going to Moscow and as it were, paying homage to the Soviet Ufiion
through their presence at the Olympic Games. ' It is the strong view of the
Australian Government that this is not the appropriate time for athletes of the
free world, of the independent world, to be doing that.* It is all very well for
people to say that politics and sport shouild be kept separate. But the Soviet
Union does not do that. For a very, very long while, there have been a number of
governments that have virtually made sport, and for that matter cultural affairs
an extension of their own government's personality. They involve the two together.
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE -8-
Prime Minister ( continued)
In other areas, South Africa introduced apartheid into sport, introduced
political elements into sporting events. It is no good now people, after that,
coming and saying that politics and sport should be kept separate. There was
an attempt made to do that years ago. It proved quite impossible. The
Government has also expressed the view in the longer term that the best way
of preserving the spirit and the ideal of the Olympic Games, which is important,
and free from political influence, might well be to have a permanent Olympic
centre established in Greece.
Question Prime Minister, can I followup on the previoust question about regional co-operation.
you referred to the necessity for consultations about greater co-operation
with our regional partners, can you say which countries you particularly have
in mind, and.. what sort of level those conversations will be at, anid what
sort of areas for greater co-operation you envisage.
Prime Minister
The consultations will bei~ th Australia's traditional regional partners.
in South East Asia; Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines,
are the traditional five, in a sense. But we have very close relationships
with Papua New Guinea as well, and other countries close to us.
Qu! est-ion
New Zealand?
Prime Minister
Consultations with New Zealand are always very close. The relationship is
as one would expect. We co-operate and consult on all important matters between
us. Consultations will be taking place on an official level. Then we will see
whether some decisions are necessary.
Quest ion
Prime Minister, is Australia trying to convince other nations to join the
boycott, and what are the prospects that the number will grow?
Prime Minister
Well, the number seems to be growing. There seems to me to be greater international
support for the boycott almost daily. Our Foreign K4nister, Andrew-Peacock, has
been travelling through the five ASEAN countries and India and Pakistan and
discussing with them Australian concerns with current problems. Just as I
am discussing these matters with the President here, and with-Prime Minister Thatcher,
and in France and Germany, so too, he is having a full exchange of views with
those other countries. Then we will be as best advised as we can be from our
regional partners and friends, as well as from the nations which are the major
determinants of what happens. in these matters. That of course, in current
circumstances, I regard as quite vital. in the formation of our own future policies.
9
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE -9-
Qu! estion
Prime Minister, did you and the President discuss Australia as a possible
site for an alternative Games?
Prime Minister
No. We did not.
Quston Do you feel that the grain embargo has been an effective tool against the
Soviet Union?
Prime Minister
I think there are some signs that it is being an effective tool, and I certainly
would hope that it is. Australia, as you know, is co-operating in that, and in
a number of other measures. Senator Glenn made a statement in the Senate
yesterday commuenting upon the decisions that Australia has made up to this
point. It might be worthwhile getting a copy of his remarks in the Congressional
Record. Question Piime Minister, what sort of strategic assessments did the President give you
of the consequences South West Asia of the Soviet invasion. In particular,
did he give you any hard intelligence or other information that might suggest
that the Soviet Mhion has designs on Iran or other countries in the region?
Prime Minister
There is.: a full exchange of intelligence information and views between the
United States and Australia. : That goes on on a continuing basis. I believe that
the assessments of the importance of what has happened are-very similar; the
assessment in the United States and the assessment in Australia. I do not think
there are any significant differences between them. I have said in Australia that
I do not believe there is a grand design by the Soviet Union in terms Of
having made a decision to move ' a fixed timetable; to do one thing and then
to take a second step six months or twelve months later. But I have always believed
that, motivated by their coimmunist ideology, that the Soviet Union will take
advantage of an opportunity if an opportunity arises, or if an opportunity can
be created. That, of course, is the danger of the Soviet presence in Afghanistan,
because opportunities could arise in relation to fran or Ikkistan, or could be
created in relation to one or the other or to both. That creates a new and
sensitive, and highly dangerous situation. The President's Staste of the Union
message was very much needed. I also believe that it was a statement of great
strength which deserves the respect and support of countries such as Australia,
indeed of all nations that are concerned for their own independence.
PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE 10
QuestLion So you are really relying largely on supposition-as to what the Soviet'.:
intentions might be rather than any intelligence or
Prime Minister
No. We are not relying on supposition at all. We are relying on the total
and long history of communist expansion. That gives you very good empirical
evidence. The pattern of their behaviour in the past has been demonstrated
in recent weeks to be the pattern of their behaviour in the present. We have
no evidence of any kind to indicate that their ' pattern of behaviour in the
future is likely to change into more peaceful directions.
QuestLion How long do you think it will be before the Australian Olympic Committee reaches
a decision on a boycott. Are you concerned that a decision has not already been taken?
Prime Minister
I would have preferred that they had made the kind of decision that the United
States Olympic Committee has. They, I know, respect the Government's view
in relation to this, and I believe will argue the Governiment's view strongly
when they present that to the International Olympic Committee. So let's wait
and see what happens after that.
Quest ion
Prime Minister, you came half around the world to today's talks. What would you
say you have accomplished of importance?
Prime Minister
I think they have demonstrated in this instance, a very Close identity of interest
between the United States and Australia. They have identified a pretty common
assessment of the dangers that are faced, and they have clarified the kinds of
things that we can do in our own region.. in~ broad general support of the initiatives
that the United States has taken. They have certainly given Mr. MacKellar
is with me and the'ciffidials and myself a much better insight into United States
thinking-than you can achieve through normal cables and reporting, through
normal official channels. Being able to talk with your counterparts is always
highly relevant and I believe vastly important.
Question
Wbea you itnounced.? your-inte! ntibn. to comechere*,' you-were reported as intending to
put pressure on President Carter to take a tougher stand. Sjnqe then, the purpose
of the visit appears to have changed to a display of moral support and an explanation
of Australia's actions. Were you accurately reported initially, and if so, what
has happened in the meantime to change the purpose of the visit?
Prime Minister
Well, if I commented on every speculative report I would never stop commenting.
w
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PRESS CONFERENCE: BLAIR HOUSE 11
Question The report wasrfbased on. highly-Llaced sources.
Prime Minister
It appears that some of your colleagues know what that term sometimes means.
" Highly-placed sources' is an interpretation. It does not really say what
those sources are. No. It would have been impertinent to suggest that I was
coming here to put pressure on the President of the United States. I stated
from the outset quite plainly There was no need for interpretation because
I stated what the purpose was: to have an exchange of views on matters of
great importance to Australia and of great importance to other countries; to
put my government in the best possible position to take the most responsible
and sensible decisions in the future about our own Australian and regional
security. Now the discussions here do not need any other purpose than that.
That was the purpose and that has been fulfilled, as I believe in a very adequqte
way. in the discussions~ that have taken place this morning and this afternoon.
Question As a result of these talks, do you hope that in future the adminstration
will be more sympathetic to the Australian Government's viewpoint on issues such
as the Westinghouse Case.
Prime Minister
They are legal matters. I think you need to go to lawyers for that sort
of thing.