Hint on N-ships ban compromise rejected

Press, 18 January 1986, Page 2

Hint on N-ships ban compromise rejected

Wellington reporter Indications that the United States is Willing to compromise with New Zealand over the nuclear ships ban were dismissed yesterday by the Coalition Against Nuclear Warships. Congressman Stephen Solarz had indicated that the United States idea of compromise would be acceptance of nuclear-free legislation in New Zealand in return for resumed port visits by all forms of warships, said a coalition spokesman, Mr Nicky Hager. “In other words, the only

nuclear ship ban they will accept any independent country adopting is no nuclear ship ban,” Mr Hager said.

Mr Solarz had insulted New Zealanders’ intelligence in suggesting the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, should base his judgment, under the legislation, as to which ships are nucleararmed, on an assumption that the United States would respect that legislation. Mr Hager rejected Mr Solarz’s reference to Japan as an indication that a compromise resolution could be found.

In spite of stated Japanese policy, it was obvious that United States nucleararmed warships came and went from Japan “as they please.” Mr Hager said the port of Yukosuka was even the designated home port for the big American carrier Midway, which obviously was nuclear armed. “The coalition believes that ultimately the United States is not looking for compromise and would accept nothing less than a nod from our Government that it is prepared to gradually accept ships back into New Zealand.”