36
HKK 184/1...
RECEVED
NO. 81
45 168
UNCLASSIFIED
FM CANBERRA 160031Z JAN 79
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 33 OF 16 JANUARY
INFO TO SINGAPORE: KUALA LUMPUR: BANGKOK:
No Qu
PA
JAKARTA:
WASHINGTON.
MANILA:
HONG KONG (GOVERNOR AND SCARFE): WELLINGTON:
PY TELNO 22: UK/AUSTRALIA AIR SERVICES
1. THE SINGAPOREAN HIGH COMMISSIONER WAS DULY REPORTED IN THE
CANBERRA TIMES OF 13 JANUARY AS DENYING THAT ASEAN HAD THREATENED
TO BAN QANTAS FROM LANDING IF THE AIRLINE DECIDED TO BY-PASS
SINGAPORE ON THE CHEAP FLIGHTS TO LONDON, MR SEE SAID THERE WAS NO THOUGHT OF A BAN, ADDING THAT QUOTE ASEAN COUNTRIES HAVE, AGREED TO TAXE A COMMON STAND AND WE WANT TO NEGOTIATE WITH AUSTRALIA AND QANTAS UNQUOTE,
en
2. PRESS CRITICISM CONTINUES OF PR NIXON'S POLICY, CONCENTRATING ON ITS PROTECTIONIST ASPECTS, ON ITS ALLEGED DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES FOR AUSTRALIAN/ASEAN RELATIONS AND ON THE EXCLUSION OF AIR NEW
ZEALAND FROM THE CHEAP FARES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE US.
THE AUSTRALIAN' WHICH CHOSE TO IGNORE MR SEE'S DENTAL, HAS DEEN RUNNING A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST MR NIXON ON THE ISSUE.
3. CHEAPER AIR FARES ARE HOWEVER UNIVERSALLY WELCOMED AND
INDIVIDUAL AUSTRALIANS ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET IN THE RUSH
TO BUY THE CHEAPER TICKETS. AN INDICATION IS THAT PASSPORT
SECTION IS CURRENTLY DEALING WITH 1300 APPLICATIONS A WEEK, MORE
THAN DOUBLE THE NORMAL RATE FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
TEBBIT PILES
MACD
SPD
HKOGD
SEAD
NEWS D
MISS BROWN