Mr Reagan’s message

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 13

Mr Reagan’s message

NZPA-AAP Washington

The following is the full text of President Reagan’s speech after his talks with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Hawke: “I am pleased to meet with Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, today, although I was somewhat disappointed that he didn’t bring the America's Cup with him. Prime Minister Hawke is a personal friend and a valued counsellor. I can't overstate the value America attaches do its relationship with Australia, especially as that nation now approaches a very special year. “We look forward to participating in the festivities of Australia’s 1988 bicentennial. Our countries share many historical experiences — our love of democracy, our frontier heritage, and our common defence of freedom from the First and Second World Wars, through Korea and Vietnam — all this has nurtured the bonds of friendship between our two peoples. Today, the United States and Australia as much as ever rely on each other. Australia is a responsible A.N.Z.U.S ally, an important trading partner and a trusted friend. “Our discussions in the White House today covered a variety of

issues. In the area of trade, the United States will be responsive to the extent we can to Australian interests. In international agriculture, we have a common goal: we will continue to work together to keep open international trade and export markets. International agricultural trade problems should be given attention in upcoming international economic meetings, including the next round of multi-lateral trade negotiations. We seek a truly free international agricultural market. Necessary interim measures to counter unfair subsidisation, like our own export enhancement programme, should take account of the interest of friends like Australia. Prime Minister Hawke has been assured of this, and we will, of course, continue our dialogue on this important subject. “On other matters, we reaffirmed the importance of security co-opera-tion among Pacific States. The stabilising role that A.N.Z.U.S. plays has been essential to the phenomenal growth that the Pacific region has enjoyed during the last decade. It is hoped that New Zealand will soon return to its traditional role as a responsible A.N.Z.U.S. member. We would greatly regret it if this valued partner declined to take

the actions that would permit restoration of our normal collaboration and preservation of our special relationship as allies. Whatever New Zealand’s decision, however, I have told Prime Minister Hawke that our commitment to Australia under A.N.Z.U.S. is firm.

“Our discussions today also focused on regional issues and arms control. Australians share with the

American people a deep concern about world peace and a desire to reduce the number of nuclear weapons threatening mankind. “This' is my third meeting with Prime Minister Hawke. Our personal relations and the relations of our countries remain on a very high level. “Bob, smooth sailing on the rest of your trip and on the journey, home.”