PM Transcripts

TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, FAIRBAIRN RAAF BASE, CANBERRA
16 OCTOBER 1989
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Is Mr Fraser's nomination locked away in Kuala
Lumpur? Are you confident?
PM: It's very close. We think we're in front. But it's a
bit too close to call.
JOURNALIST: Are you encouraged by developments in South
Africa over the weekend. You'll be discussing sanctions.
Is the de Klerk government moving fast enough for you?
PM: Not fast enough but there are signs of positive change.
We'll be discussing these there and particularly I'll be
wanting to get an assessment from those who are closest to
the action in Southern Africa.
JOURNALIST: Is South Africa likely to dominate the
conference at all?
PM: No I don't think it will dominate in the same sense as
it has before. That doesn't mean it has any lesser sense of
urgency. But much of the decision making has been done.
We'll be wanting to hear reports from those who have been
fairly close, including Mrs Thatcher who has had the
opportunity of talking with the South African leadership.
JOURNALIST: Are you in any way concerned that there may be
aflow-on effect from Black Friday on Wall Street to our
stock exchanges today?
PM: we'll wait and see. The indications are that it
shouldn't have the same sort of repercussions that it had
last time either within the United States or elsewhere. So
we'll wait and see on that.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned it may have an adverse effect
on interest rates?
PM: ( inaudible)
JOURNALIST: considering an election over the weekend.
What did you decide?
PM: You're trying desperately. Have a good time fellas and
ladies. ends