* PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN PRIME MINISTER HAWKE, WASHINGTON
18 ' APRIL 1986
E 0 E -PROOF ONLY
REAGAN: I am pleased to meet with Prime Minister Bob Hawke
today, although I was somewhat disappointed that he didn't bring
the America's Cup with him. Prime minister Hawke is a personal
friend and a valued counsellor. And I can't overstate the value
America attaches to its relationship with Australia, especially
as that nation now approaches a very special year.
We look forward to participating in the festivities of
Australia's 1988 Bicentennial. our countries share many
historical experiences: our love of democracy, our frontier
heritage, and our common defence of freedom from the first and
second World Wars, through Korea and Vietnam all this has
nurtured the bonds of friendship between our two peoples. Today
the United States and Australia as much as ever rely on each
other. Australia is a responsible ANZUS ally, an important
trading partner and a trusted friend.
Our discussions in the White House today covered a variety of
issues. In the area of trade, the United States will be
responsive to the extent we can to Australian interests. In
international agriculture, we have a common goal, we will
continue to work together to keep open international trade and
export markets. International agricultural trade problems should
be given attention in upcoming international economic meetings,
including the next round of multilateral trade negotiations. We
seek truly free international agricultural markets. Necessary
interim measures to counter unfair subsidisation, like our own
export enhancement program, should take account of the interests
of friends like Australia. Prime minister Hawke has been assured
of this, and we will, or course, continue our dialogue on this
important subject.
On other matters, we reaffirmed the importance of security
co-operation among Pacific states. The stabilising role that
ANZUS plays has been essential to the phenomenal growth that the
Pacific region has enjoyed during the last decade. It's hoped
that New Zealand will soon return to its traditional role as a
responsible ANZUS member. We would greatly regret it if this
valued partner declined to take the actions that would permit
restoration of our normal collaboration and preservation of our
special relationship as allies. whatever New Zealand's decision,
however, I have told Prime minister Hawke that our commitment to
Australia under ANZUS is firm.
Our discussions today also focused on regional issues and arms
control. Australians share with the American people a deep
concern about world peace and a desire to reduce the number of
nuclear weapons threatening mankind.
This is my third meeting with Prime minister Hawke. our personal
relations and the relations of our countries remain on a very
high level.
Bob, smooth sailing on the rest of your trip and on the journey
home. PM: Thank you Mr President, the warmth of your welcome and the
sentiments that you have expressed in your statement are very
much appreciated by me. I reflect not only the personal
friendship to which you refer and to which I greatly value, I
reflect also the close longstanding association between the
governments and the people of our two countries.
Mr President, as you are aware, the main purpose of my visit has
been and remains to talk with you, your colleagues and members of
Congress about agricultural matters.
Nevertheless, let me say this at the outset, we are one in our
determination to see an end to the scurge of international
terrorism, and therefore condemn unequivocally Libya's role in
directing, exporting and supporting such activities. The
Australian Government does not accept that violence, in
particular terrorism, is a solution to the complex problems of
the world we share. We have referred in the United Nations
Security Council to a number of possible causes open to the
international community to bring about peaceful solution to the
situation in the Mediterranean region.
Mr President, we meet at a time when the rural sectors of both of
our countries face serious difficulties. For us, the corruption
of international markets is a matter of very grave concern.
Australia is an efficient, non-subsidising agricultural exporter.
It exports 80 per cent of its rural production. The severe
difficulties that face Australian and US farming communities is a
result of depressed agricultural prices and our frustrations with
a market loss that has been brought about by huge European
Community agricultural export subsidies, are of critical concern
to both our countries.
I have conveyed Australia's appreciation of the co-operation
we've received so far from the United States on those aspects of
the Farm Act impacting on Australia's interests. Australia
particularly welcomed, Mr President, the recent amendments to the
Farm Act which halved mandated spending under the export
enhancement program and reduced the funds allocated under the
targeted export assistance program. Bearing in mind the
importance to Australia of its wheat markets, I was encouraged to
have your reassurance, Mr President that EEP will continue on a
targeted basis and essentially at markets of subsidising
exporters and that you will continue to encourage EEP recipients
to maintain their normal level of imports from traditional,
non-subsidising suppliers.
We also welcomed your assurances that the implementation of the
Farm Act with regard to the export of beef and dairy products
would be handled in a way which seeks to minimise disruption in
markets served by Australia. We also expect continued access for
our beef to the United States market, at least at the levels
consistent with the operation of the existing import law. In
relation to sugar imports, in the United States, we are assured
that Australia's traditional market share is being maintained.
I appreciate that you have noted our concerns on the operation of
the current cotton and rice programs. Australia has appreciated
the opportunities we have had to consult on the administration of
the Farm Act and of the EEP. We welcome your agreement and these
opportunities to discuss with you will be extended to include
Australia's concerns and the implementation of the United States
export subsidy and surplus stock disposal programs. Periodic
meetings between our respective trade and agricultural ministers
will be central to that continuing process.
Mr President, we both share the commitment to an effective
September launch of the new MTN. We agree on the need to have
agriculture accepted as a key issue for the new MTN round. We
also agree to the negotiation of more effective GATT rules for
agricultural subsidies should be a specific objective of the MTN
round. The forthcoming Tokyo summit will be important in
carrying these matters forward.
Mr President, the closeness of the relations which Australia and
the United States enjoys is based on common values and shared
perspectives. our history of co-operation in peace and in war,
our shared commitment to democratic values, and the fundamental
importance of our security relationships under the ANZUS alliance
have all served to strengthen and broaden our bilateral
relationship. The close friendship between our countries does
not require identical views on every international issue. A
mature relationship involves mutual respect for each others right
to determine independent policies towards various problems,
having regard to each others concerns. our alliance under the
ANZUS Treaty is fundamental to Australia's foreign and defence
policies. It also has important implications for the security
and the stability of our region. I'm pleased that in our
discussions today, we reaffirmed the importance of our
arrangements under ANZUS. We accept that like other alliances,
the ANZUS Treaty entails obligations and responsibilities as well
as mutual benefits. My Government is convinced that
international security is enhanced not only by appropriate
security arrangements which contribute to stable deterrence, but
also our commitment to pursue balanced and verifiable arms
control agreements. we value, very much indeed Mr President, the
consultations and exchanges of views that take place at the
highest levels of our governments, on a range of international
issues including arms control and disarmament. my discussions
today with you, Mr President, covered the prospects for progress
towards effective arms control and specific initiatives that have
been undertaken in Australia's own region including the South
j Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
4
Our discussions today also covered the tragic situation in South
Africa. The efforts of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group to
encourage dialogue between the Government and the various racial
groups with a view to the peaceful establishment of a non-racial,
democratic and representative government in South Africa are
currently an important contribution to the search for a solution
As our bicentenary in 1988 approaches, we are planning a range of
celebrations which we hope will involve active participation by
many countries including, or course, the United States. A visit
to Australia around that time by you would be most appropriate
and most welcome, and I sincerely hope that you will be able to
take up that invitation which I have extended to you.
Mr President, I greatly appreciate the hospitality that you have
extended to me today. I look forward to further valuable
exchanges with you on the many important issues we have
addressed.