U.S. naval head seeks revival of A.N.Z.U.S.

Press, 4 December 1985, Page 34

U.S. naval head seeks revival of A.N.Z.U.S.

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney The head of the United States’ giant naval Pacific Fleet wants to see an end to the rift between New Zealand and the United States and the A.N.Z.U.S. treaty revived. Admiral John A. Lyons said that the biggest threat to the region was the Soviet Union, and warned that a breakdown in the treaty was to the Soviets’ advantage. “Various treaties throughout the- world contibute to global stability,” he said. “Each force is important. It is the perception, the solidarity. One country makes that much difference.” Admiral Lyons, making his first visit to Australia since taking over his command in September, reiterated the American line on New Zealand’s nuclear ships ban, saying: "If you are going to have a member of the alliance, you cannot be a selective member.” “It creates a weakening of the alliance.

“From the Soviet perspective, that is a great gain. There is no-one to take their (New Zealand’s) piace.” „ ’ n Describing the New Zealand stand as regrettable, Admiral Lyons said, “Speaking from the Pacific Fleet standpoint we would like to see New Zealand return to a position that permits us to have access for our ships to New Zealand that we had in the past — I think that is - the best solution to the immediate problem.” He warned that the buildup of Soviet power in the Pacific' was increasing. This was against a background of growth that would see the next 100 years as “the century of the Pacific,” making it of vital importance to the super-Powers. He said that the Soviet military build-up in North Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan were the major concerns to the United States in the Pacific, along with the coming election in the Philippines which could see the giant naval base at Subic Bay under threat.

To continue what Admiral Lyons termed the “deterrent equation,” the United States would keep its hold in the Philippines, whether the Marcos Government fell or not, and its presence in South Korea. “There are no good options. You get this esoteric view that all you have to do is build a base somewhere else,” he said. “But how does one retain a strategic influence and war fighting capabilities from another 1500 miles away?** Admiral Lyons said that the United States forces had a message for the Soviet Union: “It just might be too hard.” He said that there were no plans at this stage for home ports in Australia. “If we can maintain the (strategic) balance as we see it today, continue to strengthen our capabilities and work together with the Australian navy and other friends, we can maintain the deterrent equation without further overseas homeporting.”