‘Soviet build-up, worries Singapore’

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 14

‘Soviet build-up, worries Singapore’

NZPA staff correspondent Singapore The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, said yesterday that the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, shared his concern about the buildup of Soviet activity in the Pacific. New Zealand’s antinuclear policy and the A.N.Z.U.S. rift were not discussed during a 45minute meeting between the two on Friday, Mr Bolger said from Singapore. “He (Mr Lee) is aware of the New Zealand Government’s position on A.N.Z.U.5.,” Mr Bolger said. “He’s also aware of the National Party’s alternative views. “But he knows that’s a matter of internal politics, it was not a matter for debate.”

Mr Lee and other Singaporean leaders have in the past been concerned about possible destabilising effects of a break-down in the A.N.Z.U.S. relationship. Analysts said one of the benefits seen by Singapore of the stationing of New Zealand troops in the island State had been the implicit linkage with the United States and Australia through A.N.Z.U.S. Mr Bolger, who was beginning a five-day tour of Asia, said the talks with Mr Lee had given him the wider perspective on A.S.E.A.N. and Pacific security and economic issues he had been seeking. "I am conscious of a very active interest on the part of the Soviets both in Mr Lee’s part of the world and, further south,” he T