1-18( 2) W' F/ Lt
EMBARGO: 6: 30 pm
, jSTRAL! 4ST
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA SUNDAY, 24 FEBRUARY, 1980
ELECTORATE TALK
Last week in Federal Parliament, by an overwhelming vote,
the House of Representatives condemned the invasion of
Afghanistan by the Soviet Union as a gross violation of the
United Nations charter; as an act of aggression and tyranny,
creating potentially the greatest threat to international peace
-and security since 1945.
It noted that a significant majority of world opinion,
including the Islamic nations, has viewed the invasion with
grave concern and called for the immurediate withdrawal of
Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
More importantly, it resolved that all independently-minded
nations'should take action to register with the Government and
people of the Soviet Union the international abhorrence of
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
These views of the Australian Parliament reflect the unyielding
belief around the world that action must be taken against the
Soviets to show them that a price must be paid for blatant abuse
of accepted standards of international behaviour.
Australia, like many other nations, has given urgent attention
to measures against the Soviet Union. It is vital that the
Soviet Union should understand clearly the choices that it faces.
There is a need for a clear and unambiguous message that the
free world will not tolerate their behaviour. Paramount
consideration must be given to actions, taken by independentlyminded
countries, which will have the greatest impact on the
Soviet Union.
Following discussions with leaders of the United States, Europe,
and Asia, the Government saw no point in incurring punitive costs
to Australia by action that would have little or no impact
on the Soviet Union.
Our trade policy with the Soviet Union is consistent with that
of the United States and other friendly Western coun ' tries. In
particular, we have agreed not to pick up the shortfall in Soviet
imports of grain brought about by the United States suspension
of additional grain sales. But consistent with the attitude
of major international exporters we have decided that trade
sanctions should only be pursued if they are capable of having a
substantial effect on the Soviet Union.
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That-is particularly true of mineral exports. Not only is
the Soviet Union relatively self-sufficient in mineral supplies,
but they also have other sources of supply quite apart from
Australia. It is not possible to have any impact on the
Soviet Union in this area.
The same is true of wool. The Soviet Union is one of the world's
biggest producersof wool and has large stockpiles. Australia
supplies no more than 2 per cent of the Soviet Union's total
fibre requirement. So here again is another area where we are not
capable of taking a stand against the Soviet Union which would
force them to recognise the cost that they must bear for their
unacceptable and aggressive behaviour.
It is now accepted, not only by the Australian Government but
by an increasing number of Governments throughout the world, that
a boycott of the Olympic Gamnes, more than any other sanction,
would bring home to the Soviet Union an understanding of the
international condemnation of what it has done in Afghanistan.
This is not a step to be taken lightly or happily by any
Government, least of all by a country like Australia which has
had a distinguished record in the Olympic Games since their
inception in 1896. I am very much aware of the sacrifices it
would mean for young Australians.
Strong feelings held by my Government about our participation
at the Olympic Games in no way diminish our regard for the
contribution made by Australian athletes to our national
reputation and our international standing. And because these
are highly regarded by all Australians, I have already indicated
that my Government will do all it can to promote and support the
organisation of alternative international sports competitions.
I would hope that at these, opportunity would be given to all
Australian athletes to test their skills and seek international
recognition for their efforts. But we believe t-hat it is wrong
that a country engaged in the invasion, occupation and suppression.
of a people should be regarded as fit to host the Olympic Games.
We believe the Soviet Union's behaviour is clearly in breach of
the Olympic ideals; clearly in defiance of accepted-international
standards by which we all must seek to live if we are to respect
freedom and seek peace. The claim by some that depriving Moscow
of the Games would be letting politics interfere with sport
is foolish and empty.
In the Soviet Union every aspect of life, public and private,
is subordinated to the demands of politics. And in no field
of Soviet life is this principle being applied more intensely or
more comprehensively than in the mounting of the Olympic Games.
An official communist party document circulated last year in the
Soviet Union claims that the holding of the Games in Moscow is
convincing proof of the universal recognition of the historical
importance and correctness of the course of our country's
foreign policy". It goes on to say, and-I quote:' " More than ever
before the Olympic Games have turned into an event of great
social and political signficance."
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The Soviets themselves have spelled out the way in which they
would seek to use sport for their political purposes. Whatever
the intention of the world's athletes, their presence in
Moscow would be used politically by the Soviet Government.
They would be photographed and filmed on television and
discussed on Russian radio as paying homage to the Soviet Union.
I have said before that the Soviet Union and its foreign policy
must not be allowed such a triumph.
The world cannot afford to accept this only months after the
Soviet Union has invaded a small non-aligned country and,
murdered thousands of its people. Indeed, a boycott of the
Games is the only sanction whose effects could not be hidden
from the Russian people.
The Russian people have been told for years now that the
awarding of the Games to Moscow not only represents international
acceptance of the Soviet way of life, but also that it will bring
to Moscow thousands of athletes and tourists from the West to
pay homage to the Soviet Union. That is the way the Soviet
leadership operates. It tells the Russian people only what it
wants them to know.
But a boycott of the Olympic Games and its effects an
Olympic village half empty; an Olympic programme of. events decimated by~
absences; thousands of tourists absent; national flags missing
from the main arena; an opening ceremony and march-past, featuring
few nations, the visual opposite of what the Russian people have
been told to expect all these cannot be hidden from the
Russian people. This is the kind of collective action independent
nations of the world must take to prevent other Afghanistans.
The Australian Government's response to the Soviet invasion has
been measured and realistic. The Government has an uequivocal
obligation to protect the security and well-being of this and
future generations of Australians. -Along with other nations
in the world, we have a clear responsibility to undertake a
greater effort, a greater response even if it does mean a
greater cost, as it will to preserve the independence and
freedom of our people. We have met that challenge and we will meet
any new challenge that might arise. 000---