Allan Eastman interviewed by J.D.B. Miller [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3262823
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Eastman, Allan James, 1912-1987, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Written permission from the executor required for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1977 Aug
- 2 sound tape reels (ca. 282 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, mono. ; 5 in.
- Summary:
-
REEL 1, SIDE 1: Eastman speaks about his family background and early life in Brisbane and Sydney; arts and legal education at Sydney University; private practice at the Bar; his World War II service in the Middle East, Northern Territory, Singapore and New Guinea; experiences in Thailand when he represented Australia as the Peace Negotiator and later to report on political developments; experiences when Acting Consul in Bangkok; impressions of the Department of External Affairs, 1949 and 1950. SIDE 2: The problems of defence liaison; the Imperial Defence College course in London; his work and experience at Australia House in early 1950's; the relationship between Australia House and government departments; Sir Alan Watt's coordination attempt from Singapore; work as High Commissioner in Ceylon and Ceylonese internal politics; work on the Joint Intelligence Committee and Australian intelligence information; work as Senior External Affairs, London representative and threat of Britain joining the Common Market; the Malayasian situation and work as Australian High Commissioner.
REEL 2, SIDE 1: Eastman discusses the British military withdrawal from South East Asia and his role in negotiating Australia's obligations; defence liaison duties in Canberra and his association with the National Intelligence Committee; his position in Brussels and relations between Australia and the European Economic Community (E.E.C.); development of relations between the Commission for the Study of the Total Resources of the Nation and equivalent Australian bodies while in Mexico; views on the development of the Dept. of External Affairs and later Foreign Affairs; Ministers under whom he worked; the nature of foreign policy and its development in Australia; personal satisfaction with life as a diplomat. SIDE 2: The role of the wife in diplomatic representation.
- Biography/History:
-
Born 21 January 1912 in Brisbane; ed. Waverly Coll., Univ. Sydney; Bar. N.S.W. 1935-39; Aust. Army, M.E., Aust. 1940-45, retd. Col., Acting Consul Bangkok 1945-49; Dept. of External Affairs 1950; First Sec., later Counsellor, London 1951-53; Dep. Commsnr. Singapore 1955; High Commsnr. Ceylon 1956-58; Asst. Sec. Dept. of External Affairs 1958-62; Sen. Aust. External Affairs Repr., London 1962-65; Aust. High Commsnr. Malaysia 1965-69; First Asst. Sec. Dept. of Foreign Affairs 1969-72; Aust. Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Communities, 1972-74; Aust. Ambassador to Mexico, 1974-79.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on Aug. 2, 3 and 8, 1977.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Diplomats
- Other authors/contributors:
- Miller, J. D. B. (John Donald Bruce), 1922-2011, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2047 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1977
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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