Hot Seat, The: Reflections on Diplomacy from Stalin’s Death to the Bali Bombings

A revealing account of the last 50 years of world affairs as seen by one of Australia′s most successful diplomats – from Communist Moscow to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and beyond. Covering over half a century between 1950 and 2002, this book traces the evolution of Australia′s foreign and trade policies through the eyes of someone who not only experienced these political changes, but also influenced their outcomes. Richard Woolcott has advised seven Prime Ministers from Menzies to Howard, 12 Foreign Ministers from Casey to Downer and two Trade Ministers. It is likely that no other living Australian official has such a range of high level contacts and can provide so detailed an account of key events in the history of this country. This is very much an insider′s account of the events of the latter half of the 20th century, particularly the evolution of Australia′s involvement with East Asia. Such developments include the establishment of diplomatic relations with China; the formation of Malaysia; our involvement in the Vietnam War; the birth of the Asia Pacific Economic forum (APEC); and the development of our complex relationship with Indonesia, including the vexed question of East Timor. pp. 324 illusts First Edition #0119 (Light tanning to edges.)