DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 8

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

Harriman On Atom-Free Zone

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) . SYDNEY, June-11

The United States would find it impossible to defend Australia if a nuclear-free zone existed there, Mr W. A. Harriman said on a recorded television programme last night. Mr Harriman, the American Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, left yesterday after talks with the Federal Government. All countries which might have nuclear weapons would have to agree to the elimination of these weapons if a nuclear-free zone was to be satisfactory, he said. A system of inspection also would have to be agreed on. Mr Harriman said China one day would probably, have nuclegr weapons, Russia had nuclear submarines in waters near Australia and the United States had nuclear weapons.

An interviewer asked Mr Harriman why it was dangerous for a nuclear-free southern hemisphere—as stated in an A.N.Z.U.S. communique—when the United States supported such a zone in Latin America. Mr Harriman said Latin American countries could have a nuclear-free zone because there was no danger in their area.