P.M. gives little weight to A.N.Z.U.S. decision

Press, 13 August 1986, Page 8

P.M. gives little weight to A.N.Z.U.S. decision

MARTIN FREETH

in Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, placed little significance yesterday on the United States’ announcement that a security obligation to New Zealand under AN.Z.U.S. had been withdrawn. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, asserted that the announcement implied a giant leap by New Zealand out of the Western Alliance. Mr Lange said the A.N.Z.U.S. communique simply formalised what had existed for two years and effectively changed nothing. He repeated the Government’s earlier assertion that the treaty had never contained a security obligation in terms of automatic United States military reaction to a New Zealand request Mr Lange told reporters the communique did not

contain some things he had expected it might, particularly new United States-imposed restraints on military links between Australia and New Zealand. He did acknowledge the communique’s new can, jointly from the two other countries, for New Zealand to change its antinuclear policy. Mr Lange questioned why the communique contained a new reference to access for United States aircraft to New Zealand. “Let it be clearly and unequivocally stated that there has never been a problem over air access of the United States to New Zealand, and furthermore that they have hao access since this party became the Government,” he said. While the Government would welcome a continuation of the United States use of the base at Harewood, the communique had hinted that

this aspect of relations with New Zealand could be under review, Mr Lange said.

Withdrawal of the base would be illogical because of the extra costs on the United States of using other countries to stage its Antarctic, work, notably Tasmania or the Falkland Islands, he said. Mr Laoee did not think the United States would make such a switch. He said the communique would not mean harm to other aspects of relations with the United States, with which New Zealand was still “mates.” The United States had been “absolutely honourable” in adhering to a commitment that economic sanctions would not be used against New Zealand. The Government would not change its policy and New Zealand’s task now was to prepare itself with Australia to defend their interests in their joint re-

gion. ; New Zealand remained willing to contribute its “fun share to the A.N.Z.U.S. alliance in conventional defence terms.” It would continue to supply intelligence to the United States, he said. Mr Bolger accused Mr Lange of dodging the central issue that A.N.Z.U.S. had now been lost. “We are really seeing a Prime Minister trying to manufacture reasons to diminish the crisis that has occurred and the damage to New Zealand,” he told reporters. Mr Bolger said that damage to New Zealand’s trade interests with the United States was now inevitable. This would not be a matter of a trade embargo imposed against New Zealand’s exports but of a loss of “clout” in lobbying for New Zealand interests in Washington, he said. Mr Bolger could not

point to particular issues on which New Zealand would lose through not having the diplomatic leverage which full membership of A.NJZ.US would bestow. “Trade difficulties come and go and they are not predictable in the sense of knowing they are going to come at a specified time,” be said. “But over the years successive New Zealand Ministers have had cause to ask for support of the (Washington) Administration ... on trade matters and, in the past, it has always been forthcoming. "It may not have always produced the measure of support that we have wanted but certainly that offer of . support has always been forthcoming,” Mr Bolger said. Now, the New Zealand Ambassador could not reach senior members of the United States Administration, he said.