N.Z. to help Vanuatu Govt

Press, 2 September 1980, Page 1

N.Z. to help Vanuatu Govt

PA _ Wellington The deployment of the Papua New Guinea defence force in Vanuatu was an event of. great importance -to the ’ region, said the " Prime -Minister (Mr Muldoon) ;-yesterday, - J commenting on the col- ■ lapse -of the secessionistmovement' in Espiritu '.Santo. . ; ‘'Two Melanesian . nations showed that by a ■ calm and determined • api proach they could jointly ■ counter ’an•insurrection, which was being fueled by

.... i mischievous; external elements. By this action cooperation gained' a hew meaning for the South Pacific,” Mr Muldoon said. “The outcome ; 'is good news for all’of us;”’ ■’ He praised the actions of the Papua New Guinea defence force, saying; that their efforts had been the predominant factor behind - the early •’ restoration of' - peace and good' order' an? Espiritu Santo. It was to their credit that positive results were achieved■•/with? a minimum disruption.

He was hopeful that the Administration of the Prime Minister, (the Rev Walter 1 Lini) would now be' able -to. focus its.'attention pn development of Vanuatu. “We will support his endeavours in this re-. gard,” Mr Muldoon said. ■ The’ New Zealand aid programme • for Vanuatu had-been doubled this year and -it' had- been proposed that ah.’aid mission should visit Vila soon' to discuss new aid projects, Mr Muldoon said. ’

New Zealand has been criticised for hot helping Papua New Guinea in its military efforts for Venuatu. The P.N.G.. Foreign Minister (Mr Noel Levi) has been quoted in- the “Sydney Morning -Herald”;-as saying the failure of the South Pacific Forum • (of which New. Zealand <is ■ a member) .to help P.N.G. in Vanuatu ’. meant . the forum’s future was- in question. ?; >- •’ . -