Pentagon denies ‘Age’ report

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 3

Pentagon denies ‘Age’ report

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

The Pentagon has emphatically denied that the United States wants to ban New Zealand servicemen from using American equipment in service with the Australian forces.

The Melbourne “Age” newspaper reported yesterday that the present ban on Australia’s passing on American Intelligence information to New Zealand was set to be extended to the use of American military equipment being used by the Australian Armed Forces.

However, the United States Defence Department in Washington denied the assertion yesterday. - “There is simply n<r truth

in that,” a spokesman said. The logic of the Australian report is being questioned in Washington in the light of the fact that the United States is prepared to sell Sidewinder missiles to New Zealand for use on the improved Skyhawks. © The New Zealand Government yesterday said it had no information to support the “Age” report. In a combined statement, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange; and the Minister of Defence, Mr O’Flynn, said they were aware of “speculation,” but knew of no basis to support the assertion, which had been presented as a further reprisal for New Zealand’s anti-nuclear legislation.