American 'hostages' angry

Press, 28 February 1981, Page 1

American 'hostages' angry

assistance that was later forwarded to the United States Embassy at Wellington. But there was. no “concrete confirmation” from the meeting that the Embassy could help, said Dr Kleinman.

An Embassy spokesman (Mr C. Bell) said that the Embassy had expressed its concern to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to “all other parties involved.” That could include the American State Department.

Mr Bell said that there were about 1000 United States citizens stranded at Auckland. The Embassy was making sure that all the tourists had accommodation. The Press Association reports from Auckland that about 70 stranded tourists got away to Aus-

tralia on a Pan American flight yesterday, after more than 100 would-be travellers had got together to devise their own “priority” list. In Christchurch, Mr Ott told the gathering that he was doing everything possible to help them. His office would remain open, and staffed, until 1 p.m. today and tomorrow to pass on any developments. In the meantime he suggested that they should “try and enjoy your holiday while you are still here.”

His reassurances did not comfort some of the stranded tourists.

“The Embassy should have prepared for this sort of thing, so we could be out damn quick,” said Mr Gerald Hibbard, of

Mission Veijo, California.

He said that it would be easy to condemn the New Zealand Government and the unions, but it was unfortunate that the tourists were caught up in the strikes. He and his wife, Terry, were still hoping to go to Australia.

.Dr Kleinman said that the tourists had no quarrel with the Federation of Labour or with the Government, and were not asking the Embassy to intercede in the internal affairs of New Zealand.

“We just want to get to a point from where we can get home,” he said.

Most of the tourists at yesterday’s meeting were middle-aged or elderly, and some became emotionally upset as it progressed.

“At least- six ■ people have told me that they, will ring their Congressman direct, to try and get some action,” said Dr Kleinman. '?i- ; Mr and- Mrs Tom Cox, of Denver, Colorado, said, “The biggest problem. is,-,, that some of us have -busi-'j nesses to get back to, and commitments that cannot < be put off.” •; ? - Mr Ray Haynes, a golf t professional, of Newport Beach, California, said: “We just want to fly out 5 and get home. We have had a. marvellous time, but : some .of our party are, running out of money.” v'l The United States Navy Antarctic . support force base at Christchurch Airport has offered beds to any stranded American’ citizens, for S 3 a night. Many are still in motels -

i and hotels, in some cases four to a room. . One group alleged that K they had been forced to I leave Noahs Hofei on L Wednesday night, and that i a member of the staff threatened to call the * (police. if they did not go. . The manager of Noahs (Mr K. Karusse) dismissed ; :t the allegation as “ridiculous.” .He said that it' •was possible the tourists were .asked to . leave be-cause-'-another. party was • due to -take over the iriojris, and it would be z impossible?, for them to stay another night. Alter? < : native accommodation was normally arranged in such - ‘ -cases, he, said. ■ ? > .At the conclusion of the meeting yesterday, many •''fbf' the- Americans told ’ ‘The ’Press” that they had ’ been overwhelmed by thfe kindness shown them by ~ Christchurch citizens. They were ■ very com(pliirieritary > about New Zealand,' and wanted it known that they had enjoyed their visit inv mensely, but now they - warited to go home.