S.I.S. information Improperly used’

Press, 18 February 1980, Page 14

S.I.S. information Improperly used’

PA'.. Wellington The Prime Minister? (Mr Muldoon)., has been*; taxed with using information from the Security Intelligence Service for party political advantage. The assertion comes from Professor John Roberts, of the Schpol of Political Science and. Public Administration at Victoria University of Wellington, in a letter to a Wellington newspaper. Referring to the recent release of information on the Sutch case, Professor Roberts ’ said Mr Muldoon had used “confidential information for a narrow and mean-minded ' political purpose.” Allegations gainst the Socialist Unity Party—“a lawful association of New Zealand citizens”—had given the National Party “a clear , advantage in its persistent political warfare with the S.U.P. and with the trade unions. “The party’s leaders have been quick to press that advantage. Those of us who have no brief for either the National Party or the S.U.P. can form no judgment on the validity of the Government’s argument or the culpability of the S.U.P.” Professor Roberts recalled that'thousands had protested against the S.I.S. Act./when it was passed in 1977 because I

it gave too great a political advantage to the responsible Minister -and his colleagues. •'“The expulsion? of the Soviet Ambassador is the first major • public' action taken by the Government after inquiries by the S.I.S. since the act was passed,” he said. The first obligation of these who wish to keep the activities, of the S.I.S. under reasonable public scrutiny is to press for much more complete disclosure of the information. > ? /' “The Government argues that sources must be protected. This, will not wash-for two reasons,” said Professor Roberts. “First, the S.I.S. has either employed bugging devices, a plant, or covert access to documents by some other mean’s. The chances that the same source could continue to. be,. useful are negligible. ■/ ■ t “Second, the hetiorvis so extreme and the political implications so far-reaching that the political expedience of protecting sources is not properly available to the Government,” he said. “Given their discreditable record, the representatives of the Soviet Government are .a proper target for surveillance in any country. The expulsion' 1 of a diplomat is a legitimate executive act. Had the Gov-

ernment left it at that the defence of expedience could be maintained.”

- Professor Roberts said the Government did not leave it at that, but had made the allegations against the S.U.P. , He said that .trade unionists were also entitled to know if S.U.P. members, who carry out important functions in the trade-union movement, had “agreed to collude with representatives, of the Soviet Union in covert and harmful actions.

“It would be unreasonable to expect trade unionists to act against S.U.P. members on the vague assertions',so far made by individuals who have shown constant political hostility toward the tradeunion movement and/Cwho will be pleased to cause suspicion and disruption among trade unionists,” he said. Saying that the issue was above ideological commitment, Professor Roberts said: “Whoever marched or spoke up against the S.I.S. Bill must now face up to their obligations.

“Whatever their dislike of Mr Muldoon or their ideological sympathy for the S.U.P., (they must) secure a clear and credible justification for the Government’s action, let the. political chips fall where they may,” he said.: