W. Samoa ‘entitled to protection’

Press, 16 December 1985, Page 18

W. Samoa ‘entitled to protection’

By

ANDREW BEACH

NZPA Apia Western Samoa was entitled to protection from foreign powers exploiting its ocean resources, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, has said.

In Apia to mark the completion of runway extensions at Faleolo International Airport, Mr Lange said the expanded capabilities of the airport could serve “the wider interests” of the region. Faleolo’s possible new role was dramatically underlined by Mr Lange’s backdrop — two R.A.A.F. Fill fighter-bombers parked on the tarmac behind him. Further up the runway, an R.N.Z.A.F. Orion stood ready for its first surveillance flight. The runway extension, which enables wide-bodied jumbo jets to land, was partly funded by New Zealand aid.

An Air New Zealand Boeing 747 flight from Auckland marked the occasion. Also on the two-hour visit was the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Mr Prebble, and a small group of memers of Parliament.

Mr Lange said the extension would allow increased tourist traffic to Western Samoa and it was important for another reason.

“It enables, as you see by the presence of the Australian aircraft, this area to be used for the wider interests of this region of the Pacific.

“New Zealand has a dinstinctive role in maritime surveillance, a role which we say to Samoa you are entitled to. “That resource is your resource, and it ought not to be intruded upon by countries who don’t give you token and royalty for that which they extract.” Mr Lange did not mention what countries or resource he was referring to, but a spokesman for him said afterwards he was re" /ring to any country which was illegally catching fish. The South Pacific, where several Island States claim huge economic zones, has seen several disputes over fishing rights in recent years, particularly Solomon Island complaints about United States’ activities.