Pacific important, say defence chiefs

Press, 19 July 1983, Page 1

Pacific important, say defence chiefs

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

With A.N.Z.U.S. Ministers meeting in Washington to review the defence treaty between the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the American Joint Chiefs of Staff say that nuclear deterrence is the “ultimate guarantor of peace and survival” for America’s allies. A strong system of alliances is a fundamental ingredient of United States strategy, they say in their annual report on military posture. It must be recognised, however, that the interests of the United States and those of its allies were not always “completely congruent,” particularly in geographic areas outside the alliances, they said. The Joint Chiefs say the Pacific is a focal point of United States interests be-

cause of its resources, political influence, and location.

“In terms of global military strategy, the region plays an important role in deterring a Soviet attack against N.A.T.O. Before such an attack, Soviet planners would require a secure flank in Asia,” they said. “Australia and New. Zealand continue to be key stabilising influences in the Southern Pacific region because of their active roles as parties to A.N.Z.U.S. “Both nations pursue economic ties and political rapport with friendly nations of South-East Asia, and provide assistance to the newly independent island nations of the southwest Pacific. These actions aid in countering Soviet attempts to penetrate the area,” said the Joint Chiefs. The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Bill

Hayden, will today be asked to explain why Australia has asked the A.N.Z.U.S. council to review in three hours a treaty that has lasted without change for more than 31 years. In the first session today, Australia has asked that the council review the “evolution and relevance of A.N.Z.U.S.” and the future directions of the treaty in regional and global terms. But the other two partners to the treaty have expressed doubts about the necessity for any review or change.

State Department officials yesterday expressed “confusion” at the Australian call.

Sources said that rather than any change, Australia would press for a clarification of the implications of the existing treaty.