Soviet Minister shrugs off demonstrators

Press, 6 March 1987, Page 6

Soviet Minister shrugs off demonstrators

NZPA-Reuter Sydney

The police kept dozens of Jewish and Afghan protesters away from the airport as the Soviet Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, left for Indonesia yesterday after an official visit marked by antiSoviet demonstrations.

Mr Shevardnadze, the highest ranking Soviet official to visit Australia, shrugged off demonstrators from the start of his trip on Monday, saying his visit had helped create a better understanding between Canberra and Moscow.

His visit began with an embarrassing encounter with a Jewish activist when he arrived at the top security Royal Australian Air Base base on Monday. Devahl Davis joined the welcoming line-up and surprised Mr Shevardnadze with questions on the plight of Jews iri the Soviet Union. The Air Force was holding an inquiry into the incident, although Mr Shevardnadze did not raise it in formal talks with the Foreign Minister, Bill Hayden, and the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke. Anti-Soviet demonstrators threw eggs and hurled insults at the Soviet Minister when he arrived in Sydney on

Wednesday after a twoday stay in the capital, Canberra. Mr Shevardnadze assured Australia Moscow had no military ambitions in the South Pacific. It was interested only in commercial and diplomatic ties with island nations. He also held out the prospect of assistance in space communications.

Mr Shevardnadze and Mr Hayden signed an agreement allowing for annual talks on international problems of mutual interest. • However, later Mr Hawke joined Mr Hayden in expressing skepticism about the Soviet assurances on intentions in the South Pacific.

Mr Hawke said history suggested the West must be wary of the Soviet assurance, although the new leadership in Moscow gave grounds for some “cautious optimism.”

At the same time the Federal Opposition, through both its leader, John Howard, and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Andrew Peacock, rejected the Soviet assurances. Mr Peacock accused the Government of having a “sanguine” approach to regional security. “One can only hope that (this approach) is more effective than the security it provided to Mr Shevardnadze,” Mr Peacock said.