Latest proposal ‘will not save A.N.Z.U.S.’

Press, 30 August 1985, Page 2

Latest proposal ‘will not save A.N.Z.U.S.’

PA Wellington The latest proposal on warship visits, suggested by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, would not save A.N.Z.U.S., said the Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Warren Cooper, yesterday. Mr Lange has indicated that the Cabinet or a Cabinet committee could be involved in future decisions on whether foreign warships should be allowed entry to New Zealand ports. He has also suggested that the forumla used for the visit of nuclear-capable American aircraft for the A.N.Z.U.S. Triad exercises last year could also be used for ship visits. Asked about the armaments of Fl 5 and Fl 6 aircraft in the exercise, Mr

Lange said he knew they were not carrying nuclear weapons. Mr Cooper said the latest “A.N.Z.U.S.-saving device” invented by the Prime Min-

ister would not succeed.

“The suggestion that a special committee of Cabinet Ministers will declare that a particular ship is non nuclear may appeal to some in New Zealand,” he said.

“It will not impress the United States Administration and it will not save A.N.Z.U.5.,” said Mr Cooper.

Mr Lange could not wave a magic wand and hope the mess he had created would disappear. Nor could he fool the Labour Party conference.

“Membership of A.N-Z.U.S. on a participatory basis is essential to the security of the South Pacific. Unless the Government understands that it will have scuttled our most important treaty,” Mr Cooper said.