PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA: TUESDAY 15 APRIL 1980
OLYMPIC GAMES BOYCOTT
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER
The Prime Minister has sent the following telegram to all
delegates attending the meeting of the Australian O]. ynipic
Federation in Melbourne at the weekend:
" The Government has today reaffirmed its view that
because of the continued Soviet aggression in
Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, it is in Australia's
national interest to stand with other countries who
have connemna rhis action and not send a team to the
Moscow Olvmcics.
Th " Government ccnfidently expects that the decision
ma-e by the U. S. Olympic Comrmittee will be followed -in
other countries and that there will be an effective
bc-; cott.
I ask that as a delegate to the Australian Olympic
FeCeration, you support a decision not to send an
Australian team to Moscow.
Because of the unstable situation in the Persian Gulf
which the Soviet Union has caused, and the implications
to other countries, the Government's view is that it is
not in the interests of our national security for
Australia to take part in the Moscow Olympics.
I strongly urge you to take these national interests
fully into account, and to support an immediate decision
by the Federation not to go to Moscow."
The Government will be taking further steps later in the week to
explain its position to the Australian Olympic Federation.
Arrangements have been made for myself, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, and the Minister for Home Affairs to meet the Executive
of the Australian Olympic Federation in Melbourne on Friday.
The President of the Federation, Mr. Grange has also agreed to
my request to address the plenary session of the Federation on
Saturday morning.
Through these initiatives, the Government wishes to ensure that
delegates are fully aware of the issues involved before they cast
their votes. 000---