E&OE
3 December 2008
Interview - Radio National Breakfast
Subjects: Qantas, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Afghanistan
MARK BANNERMAN: And staying with that theme, we're joined now on the line by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. He is currently in Europe. He's been in discussions with NATO on the involvement in Afghanistan - that is our involvement in Afghanistan, as well as other countries - as well signing a convention to limit the use of cluster munitions.
We'll get to the turmoil in Thailand, as well as the worsening situation in Zimbabwe, which is coming to grips with a cholera outbreak there on - with 500 people dead.
But firstly to the Qantas BA merger talks.
Minister, good morning.
STEPHEN SMITH: Good morning Mark. How are you?
BANNERMAN: Now I know this isn't necessarily entirely your area, but, this is of course a pretty major potential merger. How do you think the government might view it - from your point of view?
SMITH: Well it's not my area at all Mark. It's a matter in the first instance for Anthony Albanese our Transport Minister. And to be absolutely frank with you, given the other things that I'm dealing with, other than seeing the reports on the wires, I haven't had the chance to go beyond that.
But, certainly, I mean in general terms, we know that the airline industry is a very tough industry. And we've also known that over the years consolidation or aggregations or mergers or partnerships has been one of the things which has kept some airlines going.
We know that Qantas is a world-class airline. We know that it's competitive. But, like a lot of airlines in recent, in recent times, you know, it's causing - it's, you know, it's been through tough times. So, it's no surprise that it may be looking for a partnership or a merger.
Now whether it's, whether it's in Qantas's interests, whether it's in Australia's interest, whether it complies with regulatory arrangements in Australia or elsewhere will of course be the subject of very close examination by the relevant regulatory authorities.
BANNERMAN: Alright Stephen Smith, no, we appreciate your comments on that and I understand the point that you're making in terms of your responsibilities.
Well let's go to the issue of Thailand, because events do seem to be moving very rapidly there.
What is your interpretation of what has gone on there? Do you believe that the government there can remain in power in a reformed version, or do you see ultimately there will be new elections?
SMITH: Well that'll be a matter for the Thai political system to determine. What we have been continually urging upon Thailand is that we want their political difficulties to be resolved through their political processes, through their democratic processes.
We don't want to see them resolved through, resort to violence, and we certainly don't want to see them resolved by intervention of the military. We don't want Thai...
BANNERMAN: Do you fear that?
SMITH: ...return to a coup.
Well, General Anupong, the army chief has been making it clear consistently that he doesn't see that role for the army, that the army has gone down that road before and it hasn't ended up being in either the army's or in Thailand's best interests.
But, we've seen it occur in Thailand before, and we hope that that doesn't, that that pressure doesn't, doesn't arise.
The current prime minister, in the face of the Constitutional Court decision, has essentially said, well I need to stand aside to reflect or respect the Constitutional Court. A number of his Cabinet colleagues are in, are in a similar position. We'll have to see how they respond in terms of their view about their own future availability.
But there's no doubt, Thailand is going through a very very difficult political situation. We just want it to be resolved, firstly as quickly as possible, but secondly in accordance with their parliamentary and political traditions, and in a peaceful way.
BANNERMAN: Alright. Now look, turning to Zimbabwe where Australia has boosted aid over the past couple of weeks, but now we have a cholera outbreak.
I mean, do you believe that there is a case for more aid, more assistance to try and stop this and nip it in the bud?
SMITH: Can I just - sorry Mark - just make one point about Thailand very quickly - because of the continual difficulty of getting Australians out of Bangkok because of disruption to the airports, and because of the increasing political uncertainty. I should just let your listeners know that early this morning, Australia time, we increased our travel advisory to Thailand to strongly urge Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Thailand generally.
We increased it for Bangkok in particular because of the disruptions to the two Bangkok airports. But we have increased our travel advisory this morning to Thailand. So we urge Australians to very carefully consider their need to travel to Thailand for the time being, given the large number of people we've got stranded and the continuing and increasingly uncertain political position.
On Zimbabwe, we're very concerned about the political stalemate there, and very concerned about a, a continuing decline of humanitarian conditions.
There has been an outbreak of cholera. We responded to that in the last couple of weeks by announcing $8 million worth of humanitarian assistance, in part for food, because of terrible food shortages, but also for NGOs who are on the ground and are active in sanitation and health care areas to combat the cholera outbreak.
So, it is, it is of increasing - I have to say - increasing and depressing concern, the stalemate in Zimbabwe, which is seeing a terrible humanitarian position emerge.
BANNERMAN: Alright. Now I'm talking with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. We are running out of time Minister, but two areas that I do want to ask you about - is NATO going to be more involved any time soon in Afghanistan on the basis of the talks you've been having?
SMITH: Well I met in Brussels yesterday with the Secretary General of NATO - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Had a good meeting with him, and then sat round the table with the ambassadors to NATO, the permanent representatives from the 26 odd countries, and had a good discussion, not just about Afghanistan, but also about Russia.
We, Australia is very keen to ensure that we have, in the course of next year, a full review of what's occurring in Afghanistan.
BANNERMAN: Understood.
SMITH: There are a range of serious ongoing concerns - the need for peace and security, the need to build Afghanistan's state institutions, the need for good governance, and also the need to combat narcotics.
And, we warmly welcomed the election campaign remarks of President-elect Obama indicating an enhanced contribution, or commitment to Afghanistan.
And I think it's true that people are waiting for that to, the new administration to, to come onboard, to have those detailed discussions.
BANNERMAN: Alright, we're going to have to leave it there Minister. Thanks for joining us.
SMITH: Thanks very much Mark.
BANNERMAN: Okay. I was talking with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
[Ends]
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