General replies to criticism

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 5

General replies to criticism

PA Auckland “I wouldn't have called it a junket — it was a very full and busy tour,” the retired New Zealand Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Brian Poananga has said. Poananga’s 12-day visit to the United States last year has been used by an American news magazine as an example in a critical article about the cost of junkets for visiting military chiefs. The weekly magazine, the “U.S. News and World Report,” said General Poananga’s party’s visit included stops at the Pebble Beach Golf Club, in California, and the prestigious Top of the Mark restaurant, in San Francisco. The cost to the American taxpayer was $34,461. From his farm at Taupo, General Poananga said he did not gain the impression the tour was especially lavish. “From the New Zealand viewpoint it was an extremely valuable tour — and we are now beginning to get the benefits of it.” General Poananga said he could not go into detail, but

the visit resulted in an exchange of United States military personnel, and the exchange of information between the United States and New Zealand. “It was all go and we worked very hard. “By one Sunday afternoon I had run out of steam. “That .was when they arranged for the visit to the Pebble Beach Golf Club — it was badly needed. We needed the breathing space.” General Poananga said he was accompanied only by one other New Zealand officer, and the United States Army provided two officers as guide?. The American report cites a number of other visits by overseas military chiefs and their parties, and says “even the tiniest whims are catered for: a $2.99 fruit basket for a General’s wife; $14.51 for a Japanese Admiral’s favourite Scotch.” General Poananga said he could not comment on the American criticism of such visits, but his trip was part of a continuing series of visits. “Without them, we might as well shut up shop,” he said.