RADIO BASE AGREEMENT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 3

RADIO BASE AGREEMENT

U.S. Wants Pact With Aust. Copyriptitj WASHINGTON, March 27. Presi dent Kennedy’s Administration is keen to «ee a formal United StatesAurtraha agreement on the installation of an American naval radio station in West Australia completed as soon ** possible. United States authorities indicated last night. However, there was no suggestion by United States officials that the sudden drive -awards a formal agreement connected with the Australian Labour Party’s attitude towards the station. Government officials indicated that they had no wish make any comments which might be construed as interference in Australia’s internal affairs. T’ho final touches to the are expected to be v orked out in Canberra talks within the next few days. Australia and the United btates reached agreement in principle last year on the construction of the base. . The Australian Prime Minister (Sir Robert Menzies) •aid in Canberra today he hoped the station at Northwest Cape would communicate with all United States submarines—‘ ‘ howevei they will be armed.” “I never cease to marvel why any Australian can object to such an extension of the effective activity of the greatest free Power in the world," he told the House of Represenetatives. He was replying to questions by the Deputy-Leader of the Labour Opposition (Mr E. G. Whitlam) who sought details of the “special functions” of the radio station. The Labour Party will move a no-confidence motion against the Government next Tuesday. It will not refer specifically to any aspect of the administration of the Government, which holds power by one seat.