Support for A.N.Z.U.S.

Press, 24 July 1984, Page 8

Support for A.N.Z.U.S.

NZPA-Reuter New York The Prime Minister-elect, Mr Lange, reiterated his support for A.N.Z.UJS. in an interview published in the latest international edition of “Newsweek” magazine, saying that there would be “no unilateral withdrawal” by New Zealand. “Even if we did not have A.N.Z.U.S. it is inconceivable that the Americans would stand by while we were invaded. So A.N.Z.U.S. is an honest declaration of our commitment to each other,” Mr Lange said. Mr Lange, interviewed in Wellington, rejected a warning by Mr George Shultz that the treaty could be destroyed if he carried out his promise to ban visits by

nuclear ships. Mr Lange said he did not accept the idea that the treaty could hot be renegotiated. “We support the idea of a nuclear weapons-free South Pacific, in which nuclear armaments would not be employed or stored,” he said. “Of course we would have to recognise the right of passage on the high seas. So this would be a different state of affairs than back home, where we can put in place specific goals.” Asked if there was a chance that New Zealand would withdraw from A.N.Z.U.S., Mr Lange said, “Quite simply, under A.N.Z.U.S. nobody withdraws unilaterally. So there would be no unilateral withdrawal from New Zealand.”