P.M. asked to explain

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 11

P.M. asked to explain

PA Wellington The National Anti-Apar-theid Council has written to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) asking him to explain why the Government can fully support the programme of work of the special committee on apartheid in United Nations debates, and refer to it as a group which bases its actions on lies in New Zealand. The letter says that the New Zealand Government had supported a programme of work for the special committee which invites it to promote international campaigns for the cessation of military, nuclear, economic, and other collaboration with the “racist regime of South Africa.” The special committee’s chairman (Mr Leslie Harriman) had earlier ex-

pressed full United Nations support for the New Zealand Anti-Apar-theid Council’s campaign to close the South African consulate. Mr Muldoon responded by saying that any such decision would not be made by a United Nations committee which had worked on the basis of lies disseminated by cer- | tain groups in New Zealand. The council’s letter concludes: “We are left in considerable confusion about your attitude to the special" committee, and find it hard to see any other interpretation of your position than as one of two voices, one for international consumption, and another for the people of New Zealand. We would like to be convinced otherwise."