French payment chances slim, says P.M.

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 6

French payment chances slim, says P.M.

PA Wellington New Zealand’s chances of getting compensation from France for the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior are not good, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday. However, he would not rule out prospects of a change in the French position in the longterm. The French Prime Minister, Mr Fabius, said on Wednesday that negotiations between France and New Zealand were in stalemate. Mr Fabius said France had asked repeatedly for the release of its two agents, Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart, who were imprisoned for 10 years in November after admitting a manslaughter charge .

“Our position is that we are asking for the return of the two French agents,” he said. “The situation is blocked.” Mr Lange suggested that Mr Fabius’s comments were for domestic consumption as France prepared for elections in March. Mr Lange repeated that the agents’ release was not negotiable. France, seeking their return, was apparently not prepared to negotiate compensation. Since France , had withdrawn from the World Court more than a decade ago, there was no forum New Zealand could use which could require the French to negotiate compensation, Mr Lange said. The Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French

agents in Auckland Harbour on July 10, killing a crew member. France admitted reponsibility in September and has compensated Greenpeace and the victim’s family.

Mr Lange has said the two prisoners will not be “sold” or deported within the life of his Government and has asked for compensation for about $20.9 million — a demand described by the French External Relations Minister, Mr Roland Dumas, as ridiculous.

Some figures in France’s Right-wing Opposition say it should use New Zealand’s access to European Community markets for its lamb and butter as a way of getting the agents back, but the Government has not taken this option.