U.S. stays in army seminar

Press, 23 February 1985, Page 8

U.S. stays in army seminar

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

The Pentagon confirmed yesterday that the United States will participate in a 20-nation Pacific armies management seminar to be held in New Zealand soon.

The seminar is held in a different country each year, and is always co-hosted by the United States.

A Defence Department spokesman told NZPA that the seminar had nothing to do with A.N.Z.U.S., and that the decision to participate would have no impact on

the continuing reViejw of defence co-operation with New Zealand under A.N.Z.U.S. More than 100 army officers from 21 countries throughout the Asian Pacific region will attend the week-long Ninth Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS from March 8. The theme for the seminar is “Management of Training.” It will cover topics including training doctrine and systems, officer development, training reserve forces, and training for night opera-

,</• A':?.' ■ ? tions. £ v. v ; The Minister of Defence, Mr O’Flynn said on Wednesday that the aim of the seminar was to provide a forum for army officers in the Asian Pacific region to meet and discuss professional military subjects. The “Washington Post” reported yesterday, quoting ’’Administration officials” that the United States is in the process of withdrawing from nearly all military cooperation with New Zealand. The officials are reported to have said the pattern will

continue, “probably for many months, or even years, until New Zealand changes its nuclear policy”. They are also quoted as saying that New Zealand officers studying at United States service schools are being allowed to stay on, “but in many cases will not be replaced when the school term is up.” They say, too, that some arms sales are likely to continue to New Zealand as “a friendly Government” but that the country will no longer be treated as an ally.