N.Z. restores links with Argentina

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 2

N.Z. restores links with Argentina

PA Wellington Trade and diplomatic links with Argentina will be restored immediately. the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) announced yesterday. He said that the trade ban which was imposed over the Falklands crisis would be lifted forthwith, except for the export of strategic goods. There is no timetable for the restoration of diplomatic links - effectively the return to Wellington of the Argentinian Ambassador — but Mr Muldoon said that the Government was "ready to restore the diplomatic relations which have existed between our two Governments and countries." The Government's ■ announcement removes as of yesterday, all formal ob-

stacles to diplomatic relations as far as New Zealand is concerned. Mr Muldoon said the British Government "has informed us that it is satisfied active hostilities in the South Atlantic are at an end. and it is proceeding with the return of prisoners." "With this welcome news the way is now clear for New Zealand to restore the links with Argentina suspended in early April," he said.

The "lifting of the ban on trade and all other contacts” will also clear the way for the resumption of trans-An-tarctic flights from Buenos Aires by the Argentinian airline, Aerolineas Argentinas. New' Zealand broke off diplomatic relations with

Argentina on April 5. three days after the Falkland Islands were invaded.

The Argentinian Ambassador, Mr Alberto Aden, was ordered to leave New Zealand within seven days and the air flights were stopped. The trade ban was imposed a week later. Mr Muldoon and Government officials have made it clear since the effective end of fighting in the South Atlantic that the ban on trade, diplomatic, and other contacts would be lifted only when the British were satisfied Argentina had agreed to end hostilities.

New Zealand has only a small-scale trade with Argentina and has no diplomatic post there. Further report, page 8