Speech by the Prime Minister of Australia at a luncheon given
in his honour by the President of Yugoslavia in Belgrade on
lOJanuary 1975
It is, indeed, a very great honor for us to have
been received here by you, to have talked with
you at such length and to have been shown
such hospitality and kindness. Our countries
have ties between them which reach back
across two full generations. We began our cooperation
back at the start of the World War I,
and this co-operation was continued later during
the course of World War II when Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia Speech by the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Mr Dzemal Bijedic, at a
dinner in honour of the Prime Minister of Australia in Belgrade on
9 January 1975
It gives me particular pleasure to have this opportunity
to greet in our midst, on behalf of the
Government and the peoples of Yugoslavia, and
in my own, the highly prominent statesman and
Prime Minister of friendly Australia, His Excellency
Mr Edward Gough Whitlam, Mrs Whitlam
and the distinguished members of his party,
and to wish them a sincere welcome and an enjoyable

Italy Speech by the President of the Council of Ministers, Professor Aldo
Moro, at a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister of Australia in
Romeon 8January 1975
Mr Prime Minister. In extending to you on behalf
of the Italian Government and on my own
behalf a most warm welcome, I want to tell you
how pleased I am about this meeting which
allows us to have a frank and cordial exchange
of views on various problems of common
interest.
I would like also to take the opportunity to express
to you once again the deep sympathy of

17
^ FPO
J1, A Us. I'H A1.1 A /, u
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 430
8 January, 1975
TASMAN BRIDGE
The Prime Minister's Office has released the text of the
Scable sent last night to Captain B. J. Peic in the Royal Hobart
Hosoital. o r " I have seen your explanation of how the catastrophe
occurred. I withdraw unreservedly any imputations against you
and extend my apologies. E. G. Whitlam."
CANBERRA, A. C. T.
0

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 429
7 January, 1975
OFFER OF INDONESIAN ASSISTANCE TO DARWIN
The Prime Minister's office today released the
text of the Prime Minister's response to President Soeharto' s
offer of Indonesian assistance t-o Darwin.
" Thank you very much indeed for your kind message of
sympathy about the Darwin disaster. It was the worst natural
disaster we have suffered in our history. The prompt expression
of the sympathy of the people and government of Indonesia will
be long remembered by those in Australia most affected by the

ANI AF AIR
N 00
AN1 AA
NQ DATE 0
PRIME MINISTERES PRESS CONFERENCE PARIS
7 JANUARY 1975
The following is the transcript of a press
conference given by the Prime Minister, The Hon.
E. G. Whitlam, in Paris at 1800 hours on 7 January 1975:
Begins: Are there any questions ladies and gentlemen?
uestion: Mr Prime Minister, would it be possible to ask if
in principle a tripartite uranium deal with Japan and France
has been decided upon? U. AANtM-t
Prime Minister: As you are aware Japan and Australia are

t 41
The Acting Prime Minister, Dr J. F. Cairns,
released the following statement after today's Cabinet
Meeting in Sydney.
The Cabinet today considered the distribution of
funds donated by the people of Australia to assist the people
of Darwin. The Prime Minister in his statement of 30 December,
1974, indicated that the Government was concerned to ensure
that the money so readily donated by sympathetic and
concerned Australians was distributed in a responsible manner,
to relieve the hardship of the people of Darwin, recognising

France Speech by the Prime Minister of France, M. Jacques Chirac, at a
dinner in honour of the Prime Minister of Australia in Paris on
6 January 1975
Through one of those unexpected incidents
such as are often met in the lives of individuals
and peoples, the circumstances of these recent
days make your presence amongst us specially
significant. Indeed how could I fail to mention,
at the time when we have the honour and the
pleasure of welcoming you, the ordeal which
has just struck Australia? You were already in

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 4
6 January, 1975
TASMAN BRIDGE TRAGEDY
The Prime Minister's Office has released the text of the
message sent by the Prime Minister to the Premier of Tasmania
following last nights Tasman Bridge tragedy.
" I am shocked by the news of the disaster in
Tasmania. While details of the loss of life are not fully clear
it is plain that Australians have suffered another grievous
and unexpected tragedy. The city of Hobart has lost a vital
link for transport and communications. The whole of Tasmania

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
GIVEN BY THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, MR. E. G. WHITLAM
AND PRIME MINISTER OF THE NETHERLANDS, MR. J. M. DEN UYL,
IN THE HAGUE, 6 JANUARY 1975
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, our Australian friends are very
short of time, therefore we will immediately start and make your
questions very short.
DEN UYL: Well only a very few introductory remarks as to have
as much time as possible for Mr. Whitlam and your questions. Let
me say how very glad we are to have the opportunity to have this