Ambassador optimistic

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 1

Ambassador optimistic

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 25. Russia’s new Ambassador to New Zealand (Mr O. P. Selyaninov) can see no reason for a deterioration in relations between the two countries. He presented his credentials to the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) today in a meeting which lasted almost 45 minutes. After the meeting Mr Selyaninov. speaking through an interpreter, said his first meeting with Mr Rowling had been “very fruitful.” He declined to go into detail, saying the discussions were “our affair from the beginning.” Mr Selyaninov declined to comment on yesterday’s statement by Mr Rowling, which said that two members of the Russian Embassy had been engaged in

activities incompatible with their status as members of a foreign mission. He would not say whether the statement had been raised this afternoon, and he said he had nothing to add to what had already been said by the embassy’s press attache. “I would like to ask journalists to continue the good relations between us and to put the words of his Excellence the Ambassador exactly,” Mr Selyaninov added. Asked whether he thought relations between the V.S.S.R. and New Zealand might deteriorate now. the Ambassador replied: “I believe there are no reasons for a deterioration of relations. There are reasons for improving our relations to make them good.”