Nuclear-powered warships

Press, 9 March 1984, Page 16

Nuclear-powered warships

Sir, — A recent editorial said there was strong pressure on political parties to “fudge” the nuclear arms issue. There should be no doubt where the Values Party stands. We are committed to banning all nuclear weapons and their support facilities from any area over which New Zealand has jurisdiction. We would like to see a nuclear-free Pacific. We advocate withdrawal from all military alliances and the adoption of a nonaligned foreign policy. We oppose all weapons of mass destruction. There is evidence that the major parties wish to “fudge” the issue. There is a great danger of the peace movement being prematurely deflated by the setting up of an ersatz zone labelled nuclear free but allowing American forces to use our territory and facilities in crises. The peace movement must not accept such a zone. The Values Party will not acquiesce in the presence of American forces. — Yours, etc.,

WARREN THOMSON, Values Party Spokesperson on Peace. March 3, 1984.

Sir,—Vernon Wilkinson seems to take a consistent anti-A.N.Z.U.S. line, and is now complaining about the visit of an American frigate to Dunedin. Often during previous visits by American nuclear warships, anti-nuclear, anti-A.N.Z.U.S. and anti-American types have sailed small boats into the path of

these ships as a protest. The Americans have shown a high degree of tolerance of this sort of behaviour. In the interests of fair play I suggest that Mr Wilkinson and a tug-boat full of like-minded friends might like to try the same procedure with a Soviet warship. — Yours, etc.,

T. R. LOUDON. March 6, 1984.