1.
GV Plane taxing
0.05

2.
SV Gorton off plane
0.15

3.
SCU Greeted by Mr. Morris and General Nguyen Van Vy (2 shots)
0.28

4.
SV Gorton walked to stage (4 shots)
0.42

5.
LV Guard saluting.
0.47

6.
LV Gorton inspecting honour guard. (4 shots)
1.03

7.
CU & LV Gorton into car and away (2 shots)
1.10



Initials TA/MR/CO/16.19



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Mr. John Gorton, ousted as Prime Minister just over a week ago, arrived in Saigon on Thursday (18th MARCH) in his new post as Australian Defence Minister.

It was a controversy over Australian military policy in Vietnam that prompted the chain of events leading to Mr. Gorton's resignation.

The main purpose of his four-day visit is to study the progress of the Vietnamisation Programme and to discuss the possibility of withdrawing more Australian troops.

SYNOPSIS: In Saigon on Thursday, Australian Defence Minister Mr. John Gorton, ousted as Prime Minister just over a week ago, arrived on a four-day visit to South Vietnam.

Mr. Gorton was greeted by Australian Ambassador Morris and the Vietnam Defence Minister, General Nguyen Van Vy. Mr. Gorton had stopped overnight in Singapore.

The main purpose of Mr. Gorton's visit is to study the progress of the Vietnamisation Programme and to discuss the possibilities for withdrawal of more Australian troops with American and South Vietnamese officials.

The visit was originally planned for former Defence Minister Mr. Malcolm Fraser, but postponed because of the government crisis in Canberra. It was Mr. Fraser's resignation last week that led to the Liberal Party revolt which ousted Mr. Gorton as Prime Minister in favour of Mr. William McMahon.