Visit by Truxtun

Press, 11 September 1980, Page 14

Visit by Truxtun

Sir, — Since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference failed to find agreed “ways to curb the spread of nuclear weapons” (September 8), how tenable is the R.S.A. view (September 5) which would justify such weaponry “as a fact of life” till world disarmament can be achieved through the United Nations? The United Nations like all diplomatic organs, functions slowly; while the arms race grinds on. Is it too naive to suppose that if disarmament was more urgently desired by the people, what they demanded might succeed, where elected representatives fail? We are told most New Zealanders think it is. Non-comforming minorities, Quakers (September 5) and peace groups, think otherwise. They therefore oppose weapons of war, defence treaties and visits, to our ports of nuclear-powered guided' missile cruisers. A.N.Z.U.S. does not require us to harbour the Truxtun, (see its text); nor can these two assure our safety; instead they make us potentially a first target. — Yours, etc., MARGARET ELPHICK, BERNARD L. ELPHICK. September 10, 1980. Sir, — .... . —. R.S.A. stated recently that until mutual disarmament was achieved, genocidal weapons such as the nucleararmed U.S.S. Truxtun, would be heeded. He fails to recognise the contradiction in his statement — that disarmament. requires the dismantling of such weapons as U.S.S. Truxtun, and until such weapons are dismantled, disarmament is impossible. However, whilst we are unable to persuade our allies and their supposed enemies to disarm, we can deny their weapons access to our country. Such a move is the first step to disarmament, and should be supported by Mr Lucas, unless, of course, he prefers genocide. — Yours, etc., JAMES FINLAYSON. Septembers, 1980.. Sir, ■ — By having the nuclear warship U.S.S. Truxtun in one of our ports soon, what does Mr Muldoon hope to achieve? Is he getting us so used to the idea of nuclear vessels visiting that no one will notice or make any protest when they become more frequent visitors to our shores? I fail to see the necessity of the American warship’s visit to New Zealand. I am for a nuclear-free Pacific. — Yours, etc., (Ms) K. V. BYTHELL. September 8, 1980.