U.S.-Australia Ties Backed by Quayle, Hawke

Vice President Dan Quayle and Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke reaffirmed Wednesday their countries’ strong military links but differed on the contentious issue of trade.

The two topics dominated 90-minute talks at the start of Quayle’s five-day visit to Australia on the first leg of an Asian tour.

Quayle, arriving here for his first visit to the Pacific region, was welcomed with a 19-gun salute on arrival in this country’s capital.

Quayle gave Hawke a letter from President Bush that was “warm and personal” but did not delve into hard issues, according to a U.S. official. Hawke is scheduled to visit the United States in June, and Bush came to Australia in 1982, when he was vice president.

Quayle described Australia--the site of joint strategic satellite, shipping and communication monitoring posts--as “a solid and steadfast ally,” U.S. officials said.

On the thorny issue of trade, Hawke argued for a swift end to the U.S. Export Enhancement Program, under which exporters receive a government bonus for increased sales.

He said the program, adopted largely to combat European Community subsidies, was also affecting Australia’s penetration of world markets--particularly in wheat sales--because it cut prices.

Although the two differed on the issue, Australian officials described the atmosphere as “very friendly.”

The talks also covered a threat this week by New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange to pull out of the ANZUS defense alliance linking his country with Australia and the United States.

The United States has effectively suspended New Zealand from the alliance since 1985, after Wellington banned visits by ships carrying nuclear weapons.

Officials said both sides want New Zealand to remain in ANZUS, but the United States will not change its position of wanting its ships to visit New Zealand without preconditions.

Quayle continues his tour, his second trip overseas since taking office, with visits to Melbourne and Sydney before leaving Sunday for Indonesia. He will also visit Singapore and Thailand.

QUAYLE’S PACIFIC TRIP

1--Arrived in Canberra on Wednesday to participate in Australian-American friendship week. Dined with Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

2--Will visit NASA’s tracking station at Tidbinbilla today before going on to Melbourne for a dinner commemorating World War II’s Battle of the Coral Sea.

3--Arrives in Sydney on Friday for talks with Premier John Cain of Victoria state. While there, will also meet with Nick Greiner, premier of New South Wales. The evening agenda includes the Coral Sea Ball.

4--On Saturday morning before leaving Sydney, will hold a press conference and then meet with members of the American community. Arrives in Cairns in the afternoon.

5--While in Cairns on Sunday morning, plans visit to the Great Barrier Reef.

6--Arrives in Jakarta on Monday morning, will have breakfast with American and Indonesian business officials.

7--In Singapore on Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The next morning, will meet with American and Singaporean business leaders before leaving for Thailand.

8--Arrives in Bangkok on Wednesday, May 3. Is scheduled to visit a refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border during the day. In the evening, will attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Chatchai Choonhawan.

9--Leaves Bangkok on May 4 for home, with refueling stops in Japan and Alaska. May visit site of Exxon Valdez oil spill while in Alaska. Returns to Washington on May 5.