Aust. Labour calls for U.S. spy probe

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 8

Aust. Labour calls for U.S. spy probe

NZPA-Reuter Canberra The Federal executive of the Australian Labour Party has called on the United States Government and Congress to investigate fully the 'activities of the Central Intelligence Agency in Australia. The executive also called on the Leader of the Federal Opposition (Mr Gough Whitlam) to put the request personally to the new American Ambassador (Mr Philip Alston). The executive meeting in Canberra discussed a numjber of allegations made durling the last month that the ! C.LA. had engaged in improper activities in Australia. 1 These activities are alleged to include the deception of the Australian Gov-

eminent — especially in relation to the operations of the joint defence space-re-search facility at Pine Gap, the manipulation of political events in Australia in 1975, the channelling of funds to Australian political parties, and interference in Australian trade unions. At a press conference later, Mr Alston would not comment on allegations against the C.I.A. However, under a barrage of questions, he revealed that he did not intend to make any recommendation to President Carter that “the air should be cleared” on C.I.A. activity in Australia. He said he would pass on the Labour request, but would not recommend a full Congressional inauiry when he did so.