Sir Wallace defends N.Z.

Press, 22 May 1986, Page 19

Sir Wallace defends N.Z.

NZPA-Reuter New York New Zealand is a firm Western ally but will continue to defend its policy of rejecting nuclear arms as defence strategy, said New Zealand’s Ambassador to Washington, Sir Wallace Rowling, in a published letter.

In the letter to the “New York Times,” Sir Wallace said: "It must be pointed out that A.N.Z.U.S. is not, nor has it ever been, a nuclear alliance. There is nothing in that treaty ... which requires us to host nuclear weapons.”

The letter was in response to a “New York Times” editorial on May 6 criticising New Zealand’s refusal to allow a United States warship to berth there last year after Washington would not say

whether it carried nuclear weapons.

Answering a charge by the "Times” that New Zealand did not want nuclear weapons in its territory but wished to enjoy their protection, Sir Wallace wrote: “New Zealanders have no intention of seeking ‘to nestle under America’s nuclear umbrella’.” “The New Zealand Government has stated clearly and publicly that it rejects that defence option — that it does not expect or wish any ally to make any form of defence commitment to New Zealand that New Zealand will not make in return.” New Zealand remained ready to accept allied warships if it could satisfy itself that they did not carry nuclear weapons, he said.