E&OE..........................................................................................................................
Well ladies and gentlemen, the National Security Committee of Cabinet
has authorised the deployment of elements of the Australian Defence
Force to the Gulf. Those elements will depart tomorrow. This follows
discussions between Australia and the United States. As indicated
the elements will include a contingent of the SAS and two Boeing 707s
for refuelling purposes.
I will travel to Perth tomorrow to see the personnel before their
departure. I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition and I have
invited him to accompany me in speaking to the forces before they
depart. I know that they will depart with the universal goodwill of
the Australian community who will be united in their hopes for their
safe return.
I should emphasise at this stage that the authority has merely been
for deployment and as yet no authority has been given for the engagement
of those forces in military activity. It remains the fervent hope
of the Government that this matter can still be settled by diplomatic
means. But it is essential as part of the preparations for military
action, if that becomes regrettably necessary, it is essential that
early deployment take place.
Can I express my appreciation of the decision announced today by the
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mrs Shipley, which she spoke to me
about by telephone before making the announcement in Wellington, that
New Zealand had offered a contingent of SAS and also some Orions.
Every effort will be made for co-operation between the Australian
and New Zealand forces should military action become necessary. The
degree and the character and the extent of that co-operation is something
that has to be worked out at an operational level.
I want to emphasise that the contribution that Australia is making
demonstrates our desire to make it plain to Saddam Hussein and the
Iraqi leadership that a growing number of the states of the civilised
world will not tolerate or agree to his continued possession of and
capacity to deliver weapons of mass destruction. That does represent
a threat not only to the immediate region but also in the long run
to the security of nations around the world. And it is important that
that message be conveyed. It is also important that the authority
of the United Nations be maintained and supported and if action were
not to be taken, in the event of diplomatic efforts failing, then
the authority of the United Nations would be severely damaged and
undermined and there would be very significant security implications
for states in the Middle Eastern region but also around the world.
Can I say again that the forces that will be going to the Gulf are
forces in which all Australians feel an immense sense of pride. And
we all hope, first and foremost, that their use will not be necessary
and if that use does become necessary then that they will all safely
complete their mission and return home to their families and loved
ones.