P.M.'s view ‘personal’

Press, 22 April 1977, Page 2

P.M.'s view ‘personal’

PA | Wellington The Prime Minister’s comments on President Carter and his new Administration were a “personal view,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) on Tuesday evening. He said that he did not fuily agree with Mr Muldoon's comments but he u derstood and appreciated the view that had been expressed. Mr Talboys was visibly

i annoyed about the issue and,, at one stage, put his hand I over a radio reporter’s ■ microphone. Among the reactions to Mr Muldoon’s Auckland speech was the unusual issuing of a formal statement by the United States Embassy in Wellington, in which Mr Muldoon’s comments about President Carter were described as “basically sympathetic.” The American Charge d’Affaires (Mr A.L. Killgore) s .id that the new sense of; purpose and leadership which President Carter was devoting to the construction of American foreign policy ' would ultimately benefit New Zealand and other free-' world allies. The embassy has sent a copy of Mr Muldoon’s speech to the State Department x in Washington, although Mr Killgore said that the foreign policy of the United States was a legiti- ; mate concern of its allies. Mr Muldoon delivered his i speech to the Institute of i Management in Auckland on , Tuesday, continuing his ] “peanut farmer theme.” He ; said that President Carter j appeared to be working to , extend his domestic popu-’ (

ilarity at the. expense of [international relations. Mr Talboys said that Mr Muldoon’s views had been reported by publications such as “Newsweek” and the “Economist.” “The Prime Minister made a speech which sets out the opinion which he has formed as a result of his discussions with people in various parts of the world,” he said. “Do I share those views? I have read them and I understand and appreciate the view that is expressed.” Mr Talboys said that Mr Muldoon had also reported to the Cabinet on President Carter. The two expressions of opinion were consistent.