PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 12 MARCH 1990
As members of the Commonwealth all around the world
celebrate Commonwealth Day 1990, the Commonwealth has
cause to be exceptionally proud of its role,
particularly in helping to bring change to southern
Africa. Australia was actively involved in Namibia's transition
to democracy and we look forward to welcoming Namibia as
the Commonwealth's fiftieth member on its Independence
Day on 21 March.
All Commonwealth members have also welcomed Nelson
Mandela's release and the recent reforms announced by
the de Klerk Government.
This year will also mark the first time that Pakistan
celebrates Commonwealth Day since its return to the
Commonwealth under the leadership of democratically
elected Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan's entry to the Commonwealth, brought to fortynine
the number of countries that will be celebrating
the achievements of this remarkable grouping of
countries. The environment, an issue of growing global concern, was
a major topic for discussion at the October
anniversary meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of
Government in Kuala Lumpur. The Langkawi Declaration
provides a clear-sighted program of action for dealing
with international environmental problems.
The Commonwealth welcomed Australia's initiative to
develop a vital program to provide training for
assessing the effects of climate change on rural land
productivity. The achievements of this past year are a clear
sign that the Commonwealth will respond positively and
creatively to the challenges of the 1990s.