U.S. role in Pacific ‘vital'

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 1

U.S. role in Pacific ‘vital '

NZPA staff correspondent Detroit

The United States will increase its naval strength in the Pacific if Ronald Reagan becomes President in the November election. It will also establish a permanent navy fleet in the Indian Ocean, according to the Republican Party’s election manifesto drawn up last week and awaiting formal approval by delegates to the party convention today.

A foreign policy section on Asia and the Pacific pledges that a new Republican Administration would restore a strong American role in Asia and the Pacific, buy more

ships and aircraft and commit . more to the defence of the region.

“The United States is and must remain a Pacific power." the manifesto says. "It is in our vital interest to maintain United States-guaranteed stability in the area.

“We will make it clear that any military action which threatens the independence of America’s allies and friends will bring a response sufficient to make its cost prohibitive to potential adversaries.”

Earlier this year, in evidence to a House of Representatives committee, senior defence and navy officials expressed concern about America’s dwindling

naval strength in the Paci fic.

They said that ships had to be diverted from the Pacific fleet to the Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf areas after the Iranian crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Top navy officers cast doubts on America's ability to meet its commitments should the Western world face simultaneous threats in different parts of the world. The Republican manifesto quotes the chief of naval operations as saying: “We are trying to meet a three-ocean requirement with a one-and-a-half ocean navy." The manifesto notes that Soviet naval forces in

Asia and the Pacific have steadily increased and pledges a "much improved” naw to maintain the United States presence and protect sea lines of corn ma iii eat tor,.

A Republican Administration would build more a.rcraft car. lets, submatncs. amphi? ; ou- ships and naval aircraft, the manifesto says. In a reference that could have direct implications for New Zealand, the document a Ise says: “In addition, we v. it; require a substantial improvement in the air and sea mobility z orces and improved access to regional installations."

(The New Zealand Labour Party remains op-

posed to pur f visits by American nuclear-powercd vessels. An increased United States navy presence in the Pacific would probably lead to more requests for such visits from a Republican administration.) The manifesto also pledges stronger diplomatic and trade ties with Asian Pacific nations. "We reaffirm our special and historic relationships with The Philippines. Singapore. Malaysia. Indonesia, Thailand. New Zealand and Australia.

‘‘Republicans will recognise the long friendship with these countries and will cultivate and strengthen our diplomatic and trade relationships."