Ocean policy agreed

Press, 29 July 1976, Page 9

Ocean policy agreed

NZPA-Reuter Washington The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) has told President Ford that he wants the power balance in the Indian Ocean to be at the ‘ lowest level possible,” according to Australian Government officials, Mr Fraser had talks with the President for more than an hour on Tuesday at the White House. In a statement issued afterwards the White House press office said the two leaders had reviewed great Power relations and the international situation in the Asian region.

Australian officials said afterwards that as a result

of the talks Mr Fraser believed that there was no difference between the policies of the United States and Australia on the Indian Ocean. The officials said Mr Fraser believed that current plans for the development of the Indian Ocean naval and communications base at Diego Garcia “matched” the present situation. The officials said Mr Fraser had made no mention during the talks of the possibility of a United States Indian Ocean fleet. He 'a ever, he believed that the United States was “resolute” in its desire to contain the Soviet Union.

Mr Ford replied that the United States appreciated Australian support for its foreign policy. “We assure you that the United States will remain a strong and faithful ally, worthy of Australia’s trust.” Mr Fraser said that over the last 30 years it had fallen to the United States to provide leadership to the Western world.

“You have our continuing support in this difficult role, ’ he said. “For the sake of world peace and for the ideals we share it is essential that this leadership continue.”