Russian praise for Whitlam

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33740, 13 January 1975, Page 13

Russian praise for Whitlam

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) DUBROVNIK (Jugoslavia), January 12.

The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Gough Whitlam) today will become the first Australian leader to make an official visit to the Soviet Union. The talks he will have there are expected to cement Australia’s improved relations with Moscow.

The official Soviet media have built up to the trip with fullsome praise of the independent foreign policy of Mr Whitlam’s Government and described the visit as a milestone in Soviet-Australian relations.

Australian diplomats in Moscow said that Mr Whitlam intended to sign a scientific agreement during his stay, and also hoped to reach understanding on a cultural exchanges pact. A key question that will probably arise in the Prime Minister’s talks with the Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Alexei Kosygin) will be mutual trade, nOw heavily balanced in Australia’s favour.

In 1973-1974 Australia im-

ported only $5.9 million worth of Soviet goods, while its exports—the vast bulk of wool—in return ran to $154 million.

The Jugoslav Prime Minister (Mr Dzemal Bijedic), in a toast to Mr Whitlam, praised the Australian Government for moving to repress Fascist terrorist groups of'Jugoslav exiles in Australia.

Mr Bijedic told his guest that he hoped Australia would “pursue and reinforce” its efforts to repress the Rightists.

“This terrorism is aimed not only at Jugoslavia and Australia ’ and democratic forces as a whole,” he said.

Mr Whitlam replied that Australia intended to “fulfil its obligations” in the matter.

The Australian Prime Minister stressed that his Government rejected distinctions between States based on ideology. Although allied to the United States, Australia respected and made an effort to understand the viewpoints of countries which had chosen non-alignment, he said.

As a “relatively rich” country, Australia was becoming aware of its responsibility with regard to aid to developing countries, Mr Whitlam added.