Mr Rowling angry over Soviet affair

Press, 20 February 1980, Page 3

Mr Rowling angry over Soviet affair

PA Wellington The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) has accused the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) of being “totally irresponsible”" for saying that Mr Rowling has taken the initiative in recently meeting the head of the Security Intelligence Service (Mr P. L. Molineaux). Mr Rowling said Mr Molineaux took the initiative in meeting him on February 8, two weeks after Mr Muldoon announced the expulsion of ,the Soviet Ambassador (Mr V. N. Sofinsky). “I believe he has always been concerned that, so fat as it is in his power, his organisation should work on a bipartisan basis,” Mr Rowling said at a news conference yesterday.

He said he treated his meeting with Mr Molineaux with the “utmost confidentiality” and refused again yesterday to disclose what was discussed. He was still angry that Mr Muldoon had not talked to him or authorised someone to talk to him about the Sofinsky affair. Asked if he was satisfied the Government had grounds for the action it took against the Soviet Ambassador, Mr Rowling replied: “I will make my comment on the Government’s action when the Government has ' the grace to tell me on what grounds if took action.” Mr Rowling was asked: “Are you not sure of the reasons Mr Sofinsky was expelled?”

He replied; “Of course I am hot; sure, because the Government has not told me a thing.”' ■ He said: “It is not my role to go to the Government and plead for information.” Mr Rowling agreed with a reporter’s suggestion that the Leader of the Opposition could find himself in a difficult position being given secret information. But he said there should not be any party politics involved where the nation’s security was concerned.

On this basis, any question of convenience” to the Leader of the Opposition through being in possession of secret information should “weight very lightly.” Mr Rowling said: “I have no intention of ever breaching confidentiality.”