‘Trade ban is hurting N.Z.'

Press, 19 May 1981, Page 12

‘Trade ban is hurting N.Z.'

PA Wellington New Zealand maintain its trade ban with Chile to its own detriment, says the Chilean Ambassador, Mr Gergio Fuenzalida., . - Mr Fuenzalida was commenting on the Federation of Labour’s decision td’continue the ban.

’’They do not mind who else trades with Chile but will not permit this country to do so”-he said. He thought it pointless to try and convince the F.O.L. that there was trade union liberty in. Chile. However, ah important section of the workers in the copper industry, Chile’s principal export industry, were at present on strike in the exercise of their constitutional rights. As well, Chile’s economy continued to make big advances, overseas investors were meeting; witlj,< Success,arid Chile’s' trade in 1980 was worth mote than ?USIO,OOO millipri'. . “More -importantly, the great majority of. Chileans support President Pinochet and his Government in their upholding the rule of law, progress, and democratic principles,” he said. “The F.O.L. executive re-

main indifferent to the fact that Yugoslavia, East Germany. -and China- are. all trading with Chile? . “It is a pity thati Zealand maintains this’ trade ban to its own detriment. It is a pity that the F.O.L. president has given no reasons for not commenting on two letters sent to .him by Chilean trade unionists !ihviting him to obtain first-hand information about Chile. ? “It is a pity that -tne fact appears to have escaped him that trading results | in greater employment opportunities and in consequence reduced the unemployment over which the F.O.L'. has expressed concern. It is a pity that he continues -to believe, the 'messages' brought to him from abroad and that, after? a lapse of over seven years, he Still has no direct contact with the reality inside Chile. / “It appears that the F.O.L. executive is unable to; accept the defeat of Soviet marxism ■. in Chile and that they favour the line laid down by the Soviet leader who declared that he would not permit:a repetition of the Chilearf.situatiori to occur in Afghanistan.” ■