Libyan moves not welcomed, says P.M.

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 4

Libyan moves not welcomed, says P.M.

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington Reported moves by Libya to boost its presence in the South Pacific were not welcomed and could only be seen as a threat, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday. He was commenting on an Australian newspaper report that quoted Libya’s most senior diplomat in Canberra as saying Colonel Gaddafi’s Government planned to set up an embassy in the Pacific Islands, probably in Vanuatu. Mr Shaban Gashut, secretary of the Libyan People’s Bureau in Canberra, which is cross-ac-credited to New Zealand, said negotiations were going on with other Island Governments on establishing diplomatic relations. He said the boost of Libyan diplomatic and commercial presence in the Pacific could lead to financial support for the Kanaks fighting for inde-

pendence from the French in New Caledonia. Mr Lange said the Government was working to stop “romantic and peculiar liaisons” with countries whose interests did not coincide with those of the region. He said JLibya provided a clear example of a group meddling when it was not welcome, and which was seen only as a threat “and done for some religious or political bias.” The Prime Minister pointed to New Zealand’s move this year to establish a diplomatic post in Vila, capital of Vanuata, as evidence of New Zealand’s commitment to stability in the region. Aid was also being increased. He mentioned New Zealand’s recent donation of $600,000 to Vanuatu by way of building materials for reconstruction after the recent cyclone. "We are well ahead on points,” said Mr Lange. But he warned that

without proper support nations such as Vanuatu or the Kanaks <in New Caledonia could become acutely frustrated. “The upshot is that they may go ahead and flamboyantly forge what could be quite detrimental linkages with other countries.” Mr Lange said there seemed already to be contacts between New Caledonian groups and Libya, and there were known links between Vanuatu and Libya. He criticised National’s Foreign Affairs spokesman, Sir Robert Muldoon, who suggested on Sunday that Labour’s foreign policies had moved New Zealand towards non-align-ment and contributed nothing toward stability in the South Pacific.

Mr Lange said that as Prime Minister, Sir Robert had allowed Libya to have diplomatic recognition in New Zealand and cross-accreditation from Canberra.