US calls the tune in Oz

The Independent (2 September 1988) reported that 10,000 pages of confidential documents had been ‘obtained’ (presumably ripped-off) from the office of former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bill Hayden, recently appointed Governor General. Among these documents was a copy of the US State Department’s suggested text for the Australian Government to announce ditching its non-nuclear policy. In the event this bore a remarkable similarity to the government’s statement. The extracts from both reproduced below are from Wellington Pacific Review No 14, in turn taken from the new Australian version of Private Eye, The Eye. Given the number of Australians living in London, copies of The Eye are bound to start being imported. If someone finds out how to get it in London, please let us know.

The Eye August 1988

BEGIN TEXT PROPOSED PUBLIC STATEMENT: S E C R E T – – – EIDIS

THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY AND THIS GOVERNMENT HAVE GONE ON RECORD AS SUPPORTING THE ROUTINE VISITS OF SHULTZ

END TEXT

What Schultz wanted the Labor Government to say

  1. The Australian Labor Party and this Government have gone on record as supporting the routine visits of naval ships of our ANZUS allies, particularly the British.
  2. Visitation by allied vessels is perfectly consistent with our obligations as a sovereign nation that has voluntarily entered into mutual security agreements to protect fundamental interests. The provision of necessary repair facilities is an implicit obligation under these agreements.
  3. Regarding the use of Australian repair facilities, further clarification is in order. Whether our facilities would be appropriate for use in a given situation would depend on technical and safety requirements of both the RAN and the allied navy and would vary from ship to ship.
  4. As a matter of record we wish to state that this Government does not require assurances that allied governments reveal whether their ships carry nuclear weapons. Both the US and British governments have a policy of neither confirming or denying the presence of nuclear weapons. We understand and respect the reasons for that policy.
  5. As befits relations between friends and allies, we will continue to have close consultations on all matters that affect out joint efforts to provide for our mutual defence.

What the Labor Government dutifully said

  1. The Australian Labor Party and this Government have gone on record as supporting the visits of naval ships of our ANZUS allies. This policy applies equally to our other friends and allies, particularly the British.
  2. Visits by allied vessels are fully consistent with our responsibilities as a sovereign nation which must protect fundamental interests, as is the provision of necessary repair facilities.
  3. (On) the question of an allied or friendly warship possibly needing to dry dock in an Australian port in the future, it was agreed that each request would have to be considered on its merits taking into account technical and safety factors.
  4. As a matter of record we wish to state that this Government does not require that allied governments reveal whether their ships carry nuclear weapons. Both the US and British governments have a policy of neither confirming or denying the presence of nuclear weapons. We accept the reasons for that policy.
  5. As befits relations between friends and allies, we will continue to have close consultations on all matters that affect our joint efforts to provide for our mutual defence.

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