Cabinet puts off sanctions decision

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 1

Cabinet puts off sanctions decision

PA Wellington The Cabinet yesterday decided to defer for at least a fortnight a decision on President Carter’s call for sanctions /against Iran. ■ ■■■ The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) '.said' that the Government would wait for an indication of' the responses from other countries friendly jto the United States.

“We will..wait and see what those bigger countries decide to do,” he said. Asked whether New Zealand would adopt a different line from other United /States allies, Mr Muldoon said. “I would’t even give a firm comment on that.” He said that New Zealand agreed with other Governments that the holding .of American hostages bv Iranian students was a deplorable, action, contrary to all international practtice, “but when we go beyond that, we have to consider very carefully what additional action might be taken by New Zealand.” -President Carter has ask- ' ed United States allies to withdraw their ambassadors from Iran, as well as impose sanctions. If the

hostages are not returned, President Carter also wants the allies to sever diplomatic relations with Iran. The. Australian Federal Government decided yesterday not to appoint a new. ambassador to Iran for as long as the United States hostage crisis remaining unresolved.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Andrew Peacock) anounced the decision after a Cabinet review of Australia’s relations, with Iran.

The review came after a United States request that the Australian Government take steps-in support of United States economic and diplomatic sanctions against Iran. Australia’s' Ambassador to Iran (Mr Marshall Johnston) finished his tour of duty about four weeks ago and has returned home. Mr Peacock said had there been a resident Ambassador in Tehran at this time he would have been withdrawn.

The Government also decided that the Australian Trade Commissioner now in Teheran would be withdrawn.