U.S. Ambassador visits P.M.

Press, 16 January 1986, Page 7

U.S. Ambassador visits P.M.

PA Wellington Maori canoe propulsion usurped nuclear power as the first discussion point between the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and new United States Ambassador, Mr Paul Cleveland, yesterday. Mr Cleveland paid an introductory call on Mr Lange at Parliament. During a brief photographic session before the meeting formally began, the Maori canoe steering oar on Mr Lange’s office wall became the catalyst for banter between the two men. Wk- Cleveland asked what th<sar was and when given

his answer inquired which way Mr Lange intended steering him. “We’ll propel you in the right direction,” Mr Lange replied. On that note the news media was ushered from the Prime Minister’s office and general discussion on A.N.Z.U.S. and Libyan issues began.

Mr Lange later described the 50-minute meeting as a good exchange of views and said he looked forward to meeting Mr Cleveland again. “I know that tomorrow I’ll be meeting with the Congressman (Stepifen Solarz)... so it’s an American

week,” Mr Lange said. He said the pair spoke about aspects of New Zealand’s relationship with the United States without going specifically into details on A.N.Z.U.S.

Mr Lange said he also discussed President Reagan’s request for support for measures against Libya “I conveyed to the Ambassador as I have to the media here our abhorrence of terrorism, particularly State-backed terrorism. “I told the Ambassador that we'll be considering the broad issue on Tuesday (at Cabinet),” Mr Lange said. Mr Cleveland, who signed

Mr Lange’s visitor’s book beneath the name of Lord Shackleton, described the meeting as delightful. Lord Shackleton, son of the polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, visited New Zealand last month in his capacity as patron for the Footsteps of Scott Antarctic expedition.

Mr Cleveland said he was unaware of whether expedition personnel would be charged by United States authorities for yesterday’s evacuation from Antarctica. The expedition’s support ship Southern Quest was sun.fc.by pack ice on Saturday/night.