Two congressmen add weight to criticism of team

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 4

Two congressmen add weight to criticism of team

Two United States congressmen have added their weight to the international criticism of the Footsteps of Scott expedition. Congressmen Samuel Stratton and Marjorie Holt were in Antarctica during the rescue. Both are members of the Armed Services Committee of Congress and were in Antarctica to study the scientific and military aspects of the United States base there.

Mr Stratton, chairman of the committee, said the United States policy was not to assist private expeditions to Antarctica. “The work that the National Science Foundation is doing can’t be interrupted with private expeditions because they do not have the time to supply or advise them,” he said.

Ms Holt said the problem was the expeditions such as Footsteps of Scott were illprepared and their ships and planes were not adequate for Antarctic conditions.

Mr Stratton said rescues were costly and involved a risk to American personnel. Charging for the cost of rescues would deter people from mounting private expeditions. For 29 members of the Footsteps expedition, including the trio that completed the historic trek to the South Pole, were due to arrive in Christchurch early this morning. No decision has been made on whether the expedition will be charged the costs of recovery and repatriation to New Zealand. One of the three trekkers,

Mr Roger Mear, described his trip to the South Pole as a magnificent experience, the Press Association reported from London.

The expedition’s patron, Lord Shackleton, said it was a stout effort.

The expedition will leave tonnes of valuable equipment in the Antarctic. American officials confirmed that only personnel and private possessions would be flown to Christchurch.

A light ' aircraft, a prefabricated hut, and tonnes of other stores will be left

New Zealand immigration officials will waive entry restrictions for the 29 evacuees, most of whom lost passports and other documents when the Southern Quest sank.