Socialist victory may benefit N.Z.

Press, 14 May 1981, Page 2

Socialist victory may benefit N.Z.

NZPA correspondent gr . London

Francois Mitterrand’s election as President of France is expected to bring Britain “in from’the cold” in the E.E.C., to New Zealand’s likely advantage, according to observers in London and Paris.

At this stage there are no policy issues affecting New Zealand on which the new president is expected to take a significantly different line to the defeated President, Valery Giscard d’Estaing. Mr Mitterrand’s campaign statements on agriculture were fairly general, but he is expected, tty be more favourably disposed towards small farmers, and he might be more protectionist.,. Some British diplomats are reported to be hopeful that Mr Mitterrand will be more disposed to their arguments for less spending on agriculture and more on social and regional policies when E.E.C. budget revision proposals come up. ’ But, according to one observer, it is hard to see a French leader abandoning a farm policy that has been so

rewarding for French agriculture.

Commentators generally agree that President discard’s defeat is likely to mean improved relations between the British Prime Minister (Mrs Margaret Thatcher) and the West German Chancellor, Helmut Schmidt. President Giscard and Mr Schmidt had been seen as dominating E.E.C. Heads of Government meetings, leaving Mrs Thatcher a bit out in the cold.

John Cooney, writing from Brussels for the “Irish Times,” commented: “Europe became the puppet of the unlikely partnership of a socialist chancellor and a Right-wing president, two politicians who not only enjoyed meeting each other regularly to talk politics, but to share the. same cuisine and listen to Bach.” Mrs Thatcher and Mr Schmidt, ending two days of. talks in London, have welcomed Mr Mitterrand to the European summit.

“It is for us to work with France’s choice,” Mrs Thatcher’ said.

■'%. “I hope and believe that I will establish the same good personal relationship with him as I and Chancellor Schmidt enjoy.” Mrs Thatcher and Mr Mitterrand have never met. It is not known yet if the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) will meet Mr Mitterrand when he visits Paris for the O.E.C.D. meeting next’ month. Mr Muldoon’s visit may coincide with the two-round elections for the French National Assembly, which are thought likely to take place on June 2 and June 28. If Mr Muldoon does meet the new President a diplomatic silence is likely on hjs last book, “Muldoon,” in which he wrote how impressed he was ■ with the Gaullist leader (Mr Jacques Chirac), now one Of the leaders of the conservative forces opposed to Mr Mitterrand.

“Thatcher as Prime Minister of Britain, Chirac as Prime Minister — or President — of France, and Schmidt as Chancellor in Germany, would be a good combination,” Mr Muldoon wrote.