Realism pledge from Hawke

Press, 28 June 1983, Page 10

Realism pledge from Hawke

NZPA Canberra The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, yesterday firmly planted the focus of his Government’s foreign policy on Asia and the Pacific, and said that the nation’s foreign affairs would be governed by realism. And he told the National Press Club that “realism is just another word for lack of hypocrisy and humbug.” In a wide-ranging review of the first 100 days of Labour Government, Mr Hawke defended his recent seven-nation tour, and said that it established “the primacy” the Australian Government attached to the country’s role in the region. But while concentrating on Australia’s role in the region, he spotlighted Asia, rather than the Pacific. “We will pursue a realistic and relevant foreign policy which recognises the constraints on our capability and the limitations of our influence,” he said. “I repeat and emphasise the words realistic and relevant. What we have all got to realise is that our conduct now, in our relations with our neighbourhood will determine our role in our region for the rest of this century and far beyond. “If we cannot come to terms with our own region as a constructive and cooperative neighbour, we would be condemning ourselves to the worst of all possible worlds.” Mr Hawke's comments developed into a defence of the attention he has given to Indonesia, and he said that if Australia could not establish constructive relations with that country, the credibility of its whole foreign policy would be seriously diminished. “In the whole field of our international relationships, 1 want Australian policy to be free of the hypocrisy of the past — especially the past seven years.” Mr Hawke said that the objectives of the policy must be realisitic and attainable.