1,, AU ST,, L IL 4 ? IME 4,
PRIME MINISTER f-' 4V Q'P
FOR E DIA THURSDAY 1919
OLYM PIC GAMES A. O. P. EXECUTIVE DECISTO
The Prime M4inister said today that the Government deeply
regretted the decision of the Executive of the Australian
Olympic Federation re-affirming participation by an Australian
Team in the Moscow Olympic Games.
The Prime Minister said that no Member of the Executive had
contested the Government's analysis of the world situation as
described by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister,
the Foreign Minister and Mr. Ellicott.
Members of the Executive were specifically asked whether they
agreed or-not with the Government analysis of the seriousness
of the world political situation following the Soviet invasion
of Afghanistan. It was clear that all Members of the Executive
agreed with the Government's analysis.
Against that background, the Prime Minister said, he was at a
loss to understand how the majority of the Executive could
re-affirm its earlier decision.
The Government remained firmly of the view that a boycott of the
Moscow Gamnes is correct, for two specific reasons. The Soviet.
Union has made itself an unfit host for the Games because of
its conti~ nued aggression and brutality against Afghanistan.
In addition, the Australian Government is strongly and unrepentantly
of the view that we should stand with regional friends and partners
and with major allies.
It is a sad day for Australia to find ourselves alone with
Communist Laos and Vietnam from our part of the world. All
other countries of South-East Asia and the Pacific are supporting
the boycott and de facto New Zealand also supports it'l, l eaving
Australia in company with Laos and Vietnam alone.
The Governmient, makes no apology for putting its -view consistently
and firmly. We had a duty and an obligation to add Australia's
weight to the scales, to the cause of liberty and independence
of nations.
2
Australia has not been alone in this view. Governments of
nearly all major freedom loving countries, of a number of
diff'--L: erent political complexions, have taken the same vie-% q.
Indeed, 67 countries are not going, including three of the
five top medal winning countries at the last O-lympics; and
an effective boycott is in place.
It is to the profound regret of the Government that members
of. L th*, e Executive of the Olympic Federation, who agreed w,% ith
tne Government's assessment of the international situation,
ch~ ose to isolate Australia from her regional friends and major
allies on this issue.
In the Government's view, the AOF Executive's decision is wrong.
Nevertheless the Government has tof~ d the Executive that it will
not use arbitrary and totalitarian powers to prevent participation.
The only power effectively available * to the Government would be
to deny access to a passport to travel overseas. That is not
a proper power for a democratic Government to use in these
circumstances.
1-1e have sought to persuade the members of the AOF Executive as
Australians to put this nation first. The majority has not
done so.
I ask all Australians to note the substantial contradiction in
the Executive's statement.
A majority of the Executive says that it is too late for them
to change their minds about attendance in Moscow, but in the
same breath they urge individual sporting bodies and individual
athletes to consider my remarks carefully, implying that it is
not too late for those sporting bodies and individuals to change
their minds.
How the Executive can reconcile these points of view is beyond
comprehension. It represents'a failure of executive leadership and a denial
oit: national responsibility. 000---