USA: NEW YORK: AUSTRALIAN PM JOHN HOWARD VISIT

Описание: (15 Jul 1999) English/Nat

The Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, spoke Thursday at a luncheon given by the Asia Society in New York City.

Howard spoke about how financial reform is working for Australia and also addressed the economic climates in Japan, China and Indonesia.

The Australian leader has spent his time in New York touting the successes of the Australian economy, primarily its ability to steer clear of last year's Asian economic crisis which engulfed the region.

His visit to New York ends on Friday.

John Howard is immensely proud of the Australian economy and the role he has had in its success during his nearly three and a half years in office.

And not only is he proud of the economic reforms he helped put into place, he has big plans for Australia's financial future as well.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"One of the specific focuses of my visit to New York has been to associate myself with the efforts of many, both within the government and within the business community in Australia, to promote Australia as a world financial center."
SUPER CAPTION: John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

Howard also emphasized that, not only did Australia remain relatively immune to the economic crisis that hit Asia last year, his country was part of the solution.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In Asia's time of trial and economic difficulty, Australia was able to be a good, helpful and reliable friend. It wasn't just an association of rhetoric and an association of expressions of good will, we were along with Japan the only other country that participated in the three International Monetary Fund bailouts of Indonesia, Korea and Thailand."
SUPER CAPTION: John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

He said that in recent years his country has instituted a series of reforms which have strengthened economic foundations and have delivered strong economic outcomes.

The Prime Minister explained that his country's success is easily explained.

He said it is reaping the rewards of ongoing economic reform, sound policy and good monetary policy management.

He also offered some opinions on how Australia's neighbours are doing economically, like Japan.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well I think the Japanese economy has undergone a number of necessary structural changes. I think there are more needed. The best sense I could get was that there were the beginnings of a recovery, but economic growth was not going to be spectacular."
SUPER CAPTION: John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

Howard also took the opportunity to implore the U-S and other world leaders to include China in the World Trade Organisation.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"China is enormously important not just in our region but in the entire world and is very important that China become part of the WTO."
SUPER CAPTION: John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

Howard leaves New York on Friday.

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