N.Z. to assist Sinai peace-keeping force

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 1

N.Z. to assist Sinai peace-keeping force

PA Wellington The Government has decided in principle to take part in the United Statessponsored Sinai peace-keep-ing force. A final decision will depend on unspecified factors, the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said yesterday, and could be two or three weeks away.

The decision on joining the force was made late yesterday during the final Cabinet meeting before the General Election at the end of next month.

It follows similar approval in principle by senior European Community nations, including Britain, France, and Italy, and also by Australia. Mr Muldoon would not say just what factors remained to be considered before the final go-abead is given by a Cabinet sub-committee, which includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Air Talboys). However, final decisions from E.E.C. countries and from Australia are expected

to play a significant part in the Government’s thinking. The Prime Minister told a press conference earlier yesterday that the Australian decision, announced last week by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), still had to be clarified. Any final involvement by New Zealand would be in the form of a joint contribution with Australian forces. | Mr Muldoon dismissed suggestions that import trade links with Iran could be

called into question by taking part in the Sinai force, which is not favoured by some Middle East nations. “We have got a very simple arrangement with Iran,” Mr Muldoon said. ■‘They want the meat, we have it, and they pay for it.” A new contract is at present being negotiated with Iran. The Ministry of Defence would not speculate yesterday on the form of the

proposed peace-keeping force. However, a spokesman noted that the Government would probably favour a contribution which would be seen as distinct from, rather than part of, the Australian air support group. Manpower rather than equipment might thus be favoured. he said. A force based on manpower, similar to the treaty-supervising group sent to Zimbabwe, would have the advantage of being able to

be quickly assembled and transported. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) called Cabinet’s decision “premature,” coming too soon after the death of the former Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat. “I do believe that the dust should be allowed to settle in the Middle East until we see what the new relationship between Egypt and Israel transpires to be,” IHr Rowling said.

"Any decision at this stage is premature.” Mr Rowling said that he was also concerned that the initiative was coming not from the United Nations, but from one of the big powers. "We have got to be very careful that it is seen to be multi-national and not under the control of the United States, or any other power,” Mr Rowling said. E.E.C. decision soon. Page 9.