P.M.’s office checked for ‘bugs’

Press, 12 March 1985, Page 1

P.M.’s office checked for ‘bugs’

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said yesterday that his office had been checked for “bugs” after an A.N.Z.U.S. initiative he proposed was made public in a news story just 20 minutes later. Mr Lange said that the news story, released in Hong Kong by the French press agency, Agence France Presse, appeared to contain details of what was discussed at a meeting on January 29 of the United States Ambassador, Mr Monroe Browne, Mr Lange, and officials from the United States and New Zealand.

“In no way do I attach blame for this leak to United States or New Zealand officials and staff involved,” Mr Lange said. “However it appears from my investigations that there was a leak of information related to a specific class of United States warship, which the Government, in line with its anti-nuclear policy, had invited to visit New Zealand.” He was made aware of the story some hours after it was released.

Mr Lange said he advised the Americans during the meeting to send a vessel of a different class to the original nuclear-capable one. That type of vessel was an FFG 7 frigate, which was not regarded as nuclear-capable. “That was leaked within 20 minutes, announced from Hong Kong and that was the end of that initiative,” he said. “The result was that the whole proposal was just simply hopeless. The visit was declined.” Mr Lange said he did not know who had leaked the information, but that it was not in New Zealand’s interests that the information be leaked. “I was with a variety of officials, all of whom I trusted implicitly.” Mr Lange said no listening devices were found Asked whether he subscribed to the theory that there had been electronic surveillance or just an.indiscreet individual, Mr Lange said there had obviously been some indiscretion. He said he was satisfied that his office was clear of bugs. There was no continuing inquiry.