No South African security men in N.Z., says Consul

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 2

No South African security men in N.Z., says Consul

(NZ. Pre.tt Association) WELLINGTON, January 15. The South African Security Service did not work in New Zealand and had never done so, the South African Con-bul-General (Mr P. H. Philip) said today.

He was commenting in a statement on an article in a weekly newspaper, which alleged that attempts were being made to use New Zealand journalists as pawns. The newspaper alleged t' at two journalists, which it named, had been asked to report on other journalists and their “worth” and suitability for visas to South Africa

Mr Philip described the I allegations against the Consulate General and its officers as most scandalous. I He was astonished that “such a tissue of factual inaccuracies and flights of imagination should have been published in a responsible New Zealand newspaper.” Mr Philip said that Mr A. J. Cloete was an officer of the Department of Information, and had never had any connection with the Security Service. “The ‘Truth’ article said that a document found in the corridors of Parliament Buildings said that. Mr Cloete was a high-ranking member of the security force in London,” Mr Philip said. But Mr Cloete had never served in London. He added that Mr Cloete had never visited London until last month, when he went there on his way back from New Zealand. “His companion in this extraordinary escapade is < supposed to have been someone named Mills, Nobody of that name has ever served in this Consulate General,” said Mr Philip. “As for the ‘document’ itself, are we really expected to believe that the corridors of Parliament are likely sources of such flights of ficItion? Doubtless the paper was found outside room 007.” said Mr Philip. “Secondly, there is the statement which I am supoosed to have made about New Zealand journalists. “What I actually said was: ‘So far as journalists: are concerned, there are none in New Zealand who are proSouth African, and a few who are definitely anti-South African, but most of them are honest professionals who try to be objective.’ “This statement is verv different from the distorted version given by the author of the article concerned. “FLIMSY EVIDENCE”

“We are told that ‘New Zealand journalists have been asked to become pawns for South Africa’s Security jService.’ The evidence for this remarkable statement turns out to be flimsy, to say the least. We find that in the Time of mv predecessor — more than five years ago — ; one New Zealand journalist was asked to comment on I sports journalists or New ’Zealanders with sporting associations who had applied to visit South Africa. More rejcentlv. another journalist was jasked much the same question. It is ouite possible that i these gentlemen may have (been asked. ‘What sort of a

jChap is Joe Bloggs?’, but this is surely a far cry from askling them to become pawns I for South Africa’s Security 'Service,” said Mr Philip. “I can state quite categorically that the South African Security Service does not operate in New Zealand, nor has it ever done so. Since its inception in 1962 this Consulate General and its officers have at all times performed their duties with meticulous regard for the rules of diplomatic and consular propriety. To suggest otherwise, as this (article does, is totally false. ; “We are frequently the target for attacks designed to discredit us. This is yet another attack of the same character. If those responsible have sunk to such a low level in their choice of weapons they must indeed be desperately short of ammunition,” said Mr Philip. “TRUTH” ARTICLE This week’s issue of “Truth,” claiming in a front-page article that “New Zealand journalists have been asked to become pawns for South Africa’s security service,” alleges that an Auckland journalist and a Wellington journalist, whom it names, were asked to supply information about other New Zealanders. It claims that a document found in the corridors of Parliament Building says that one of these two journalists was approached by two members of the South African Security Service, and asked whether he would be interested in providing details on journalists visiting South Africa. It says he re-1 fused to do so.

According to “Truth,” which reproduces a facsimile of the document, the two members of the Security Service are Mr Cloete and Mr Mills. The document continues: j "Cloete was a high-ranking member of the security force in London. Mills is known to have worked for the Security Service in the past.” “Truth” says the document was dated November 30, 1973.

"Truth” quotes Mr Philip as saying: “1 simply do not believe that these men were approached in the way you make it out they were. We do not make checks on anyone. Possibly someone may be asked what they think of a person. But there is nothing sinister in that. So far as journalists are concerned, there are none in New Zealand who are pro-South Africa, but there are a few who are honest individuals.”