Russians will move in — P.M.

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34156, 18 May 1976, Page 1

Russians will move in — P.M.

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 17.

The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) today expressed concern that the Soviet Union may move to acquire greater influence, both economic and military, among South Pacific Island nations.

During his post-Cabinet meeting press conference this evening, he said that inevitably the Russians would move into the region and make “deals,” and there was some evidence of this in the case of the Kingdom of Tonga.

“There is growing evidence of Soviet interest in this part of the world.” New Zealand wanted to see the Pacific Island nations as independent States coming

under the influence of noone — “which is broadly the position at the present time.”

Mr Muldoon said about 40 Russian fishing vessels were “in our waters,” some of which were research vessels which were hardly trawlers of the type known to New Zealanders.

He said he stood by his statement made during his recent overseas trip that the Russians were using the Tasman as a passage to the Indian Ocean, but he said there was no suggestion this had occurred within the last two years. Naval vessels would not venture this far in the normal course of events, but there were increasing numbers of fishing vessels. He was not suggesting that these were spy ships, but many of them appeared to be research vessels collecting data on deep-sea fishing — data which could be useful for military purposes