Terrorism 'main concern’ of S.I.S.

Press, 6 May 1983, Page 4

Terrorism 'main concern’ of S.I.S.

PA Wellington Terrorism in all its forms was the main concern of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service at present, said its new head, Mr J. L. Smith, last evening. Terrorism and the principles of terrorism had continued to spread world wide in recent years and New Zealand, in spite of its geographical isolation, could not consider itself immune, Mr Smith said in an interview.

.“I speak as a layman although as a soldier I came in touch with many aspects of terrorism,” he said. “Terrorists are by character very mobile. They strike where they wish, when they choose. We are not immune and it is in this area we find the main contribution the service must make.”

Mr Smith, aged 57, a former brigadier who saw service in Japan, Singapore, Korea, and Vietnam, was

named yesterday to replace the retiring director of the service, Mr P, L. Molineux.

Although he repeatedly emphasised his lack of experience in the intelligence field, Mr Smith said he had formed some opinions of the

proper function of the S.I.S. “The service exists to collect and present information, and that is where the service’s interests must stop,” he said. “I only know that in principle the service head is bound to give information to the head of the department to whom he is answerable.” Although he would need to be guided by other people’s assessment of the service as he attempted to adapt to his new post, Mr Smith said his present impression was that the S.I.S. was “a very efficient, tidy organisation”. Commenting on the occasion last year when an agent of the S.I.S. left his briefcase, containing identification and confidential papers, on a wall in Wellington, he said, “There will always be mistakes. “In my own opinion, people are always entitled to one mistake.”

Earlier report, Page 2