The Iranian Crown Prince

Press, 11 January 1978, Page 12

The Iranian Crown Prince

The Crown Prince of Iran, Prince Reza Pahlavi, will be the second distinguished Iranian visitor to New Zealand in less than a month. The Iranian ViceMinister of Agriculture, Dr M. Aloumi, and his wife were in New Zealand as guests of the New Zealand Government and the Meat Exporters’ Council in December. The two visits are signs of the importance with which the Government views New Zealand’s relations with Iran and of the opportunities that Iran provides as a market for New Zealand produce. The acceptance of New Zealand's invitation may also show some interest by Iran in New Zealand. In the last 10 years the increases in the value of trade both ways has been spectacular, though the rise in the value of our imports reflected largely the quadrupled price of oil. In the trading year which ended in June, 1967. New Zealand exports to Iran were worth slightly more than a quarter of a million dollars: in the year ended last June New Zealand’s exports to Iran were worth slightly more than 543 million, making Iran New Zealand’s ninth biggest market. Imports from Iran were worth 55.7 million in 1967 and 8138.7 million in 1977. Probably the first sign of the new importance being attached to Iran was the visit by the Shah in September, 1974: in 1975 New Zealand opened an embassy in Iran. A few weeks ago Mr C D Beeby, a career diplomat, was appointed to replace the country’s first Ambassador to Iran. Mr B. M. Brown. Diplomatic and trading links with Iran are not to be interpreted as a sign

of approval for some of the authoritarian domestic policies pursued in Iran. But the passage of time appears to be modifying some of these policies. Nevertheless, the importance that Iran holds for New Zealand in bilateral trade cannot be overlooked, and it would seem most likely that the importance will increase still further. Iran has acquired much greater significance in the world economy, in the search for a Middle East peace settlement, and in the balance of power in the Gulf area. Like Saudi Arabia, Iran opposed an increase in the price of oil at the last meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Iran has consistently opposed oil embargoes. The Western world has cause to be grateful for both of these decisions. Although Iran is not an Arab country it is a Muslim country and its voice carries some weight, in Arab capitals. On the whole it is a moderating voice, generally supporting Egypt against some of the more radical Arab States. The striking characteristic of Iran over the last few years has been its acquisition of a frightening arsenal with which it intends to maintain stability in the Gulf region. Fears have been expressed that this collection of sophisticated weapons might tempt the Shah to impose his will militarily on the region. But, apart from seizing a couple of islands which command the Strait of Hormuz, he has refrained from military adventures. It is a sombre thought that someone else will one day inherit the power now held by the Shah. The young prince to whom New Zealand will be host at the week-end is the heir to this power.