EIMBARGO: 5: 00 pm
FOR MEDIA SUNDAY, 31 AUGUST, 1980
ELECTORATE TALK
In the coming week I will be attending a Commonwealth Meeting
in New Delhi, which will bring together Heads of Government
of 16 countries from the Asian and Pacific regions. The meeting
is the second Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting,
the first was held in Sydney in 1978.
The Commonwealth of Nations differs from all other international
associations in that its members share not a common ideology or
interest, like the non-aligned movement, nor the same geographical
region, like ASEAN or the Organisation of African Unity, but
a similar heritage, derived from institutions associated with
the former British Empire. This historical link provides the
Commonwealth with many of the features which makes it unique.
mongst its members are to be found countries in all parts of
the world, at every size and stage of economic development, with
a variety of political systems and ideological beliefs and a
multiplicity of languages, religions and cultures. The
Commonwealth is a unique institution. But its special quality
goes even beyond the exceptional features I have identified.
It remains a voluntary association which operates only on the
basis of consensus. There are no obligations connected with
membership; no treaty or other written commitments; only a
dedication to the ideals of the Commonwealth," such as those
enshrined in the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, adopted
by Heads of Government in Singapore in 1971.
There, the Commonwealth members expressed the belief that
international peace and order were essential to the security
of mankind: that the liberty of the individual was sacrosant;
that racial prejudice was a dangerous sickness; that all forms
of colonial domination and racial oppression were to be opposed;
that the wide disparities in wealth now
existing between different sections of mankind were too great
to be tolerated; and, that international co-operation was essential
to remove the causes of war, promote tolerance, combat injustice,
and secure development amongst the peoples of the world.
A source of particular strength in the Commonwealth is its
tradition of holding its discussions confidentially, and reaching
decisions without voting. This enables the members to engage in
full and frank exchanges of view, but at the same time to mak: e
special efforts to reconcile different points of view in solving
global and regional problems. / 2
2
It was in this context that the Commonwealth was instrumental
in achieving a breakthrough in the political impasse over
Rhodesia's future, through the Lancaster House talks last year.
The independence of Zimbabwe and its admission to the CoimmonwealLh
are a great tribute to the association's role in contemporary
diplomacy. At a less publicised, but no less important level, are the
Commo,. ealth's activities in ec0onmic and functional co-operation,
which provide worthwhile and practical results to member countries.
The concept of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting
arose from an Australian perception that the countries and
interests of South East Asia and particularly the Pacific Ocean
regions were not receiving the attention they merited at
regular Heads of Government Meetings because of the Commonwealth's
size and pre-occupation with other world-wide issues.
The Government accordingly decided that, to bring greater
Commonwealth focus to bear on the areas of Australia's north west
and east, all Commonwealth countries in the Asian/ Pacific region
would be invited to a meeting in Sydney in February 1978. This
meeting demonstrated that the CHOGRI. I-as it has come to be
called concept had responded to a genuinely felt need by the
participants, particularly from the South Pacific, for a
Commonwealth forum of greater relevance and suitability to their
interests, and the agreement to hold the second meeting in
New Delhi underscored the success of that Australian initiative.
The Sydney meeting was successful not only from the point of view
of the expanded consultative process it has created, but also
because it instituted a general pattern of both ecoic and
political consultation and understanding which has-enabled the
island leaders of the South Pacific to find roles for their
countries in the* international community.
The flow-on from the Sydney CHOGRM has seen the creation of
a. network for. exchanges of ideas at the official and political
levels throughout the region which could not have been achieved
without the institution of that meeting.
The New Delhi meeting has the capacity to promote dialogue
between Heads of Government at a particularly critical time in
international political and economic developments. It will bring
together Heads of Government from a region which borders on the
scene of some of the most serious political issues now confronting
the world, in Afghanistan and South East Asia. It is also expected
to give major attention to ways and means of increasing
co-operation between member countries, particularly in the areas
of energy, and industrial development. Australia will play its
full part in these efforts.
It has already been announced that Melbourne will be the venue
for the full Heads of Government Meeting late next year. This
will be the most important international meeting ever held in
Australia, bringing together more than 40 I-leads of Government.
Arrangements are already in hand for the organisation of this
meeting and I am confident that it will enjoy the success that has
characterised past meetings and that it will make a significant
contribution to the consideration of important world issues and
the furthering of Commonwealth co-operation. I would also like to
add that the , ary fact that that meeting is being held in Australia
is, in a sense, a compliment to Australia and a compliment to the
role that Australia ' has played in a constructive way in Commonwealand
international affairs. 00