Diplomats not yet replaced

Press, 14 August 1984, Page 8

Diplomats not yet replaced

PA Wellington The Government had not decided who would replace the High Commissioners in Canberra, London, Washington, and Ottawa, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday. The four commissioners, Messrs Edward Latter in Canada and Bill Young in London, Sir Lancelot Adams-Schneider in Washington, and Sir Laurie Francis in Canberra — had all offered to return from their posts when the Labour Government wanted them to do

so, he said at a post-Cabinet press conference. Under the Foreign Affairs Act none of them had the right to continue in office against the will of the Government, he said. Mr Lange said that no decisions for replacements had been made yet. “I have had some interim musings and consultations,” he said. There would not be a great increase in political appointments and the role of the professional foreign service would be enhanced.

Mr Lange said he had given a pledge that the Labour Administration “would not be one which came in in a series of mad, impulsive lurches.” "The transition I said was to be sober and measured. It has been, it will continue to be.” Changes would be made “at the appropriate time.” There was a need for stability in those posts, Mr Lange said, especially as some of them would be holding international conferences.

“But it is not my desire to

have anything approaching some sort of Night of the Long Knives in foreign posts abroad. This will be a responsible transition,” he said.

Mr Lange said that the Government intended to have the New Delhi post in India reopened by November. An approach had been made concerning personnel for the post — "whether that approach matures or not, I do not know”. He hoped to announce details of some officeholders soon.