Policy compromise on base rejected

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 8

Policy compromise on base rejected

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, rejected yesterday a suggestion that either New Zealand or American policy would have to be compromised if the base for the United States Naval Support Force Antarctica was to continue to run in Christchurch. Sir Robert Muldoon, the Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, said the reported order by the retiring United States Navy Secretary, Mr John Lehman, to prepare plans to shift the base from Christchurch raised questions about the anti-nuclear legislation.

He said the New Zealand Nuclear-Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Bill applied to all American craft landing at Christchurch, but they were also subject to the neither-confirm-nor-deny policy on the presence of nuclear weapons. Sir Robert said the dilemma could only be resolved by the Americans abandoning their neither-confirm-nor-deny policy or “by Mr Lange pretending to have knowledge which he cannot possibly have and approving the entry of aircraft.” Mr Lange said Sir Robert was clearly trying to encourage American retaliation against the

Christchurch base. It had continued running, said Mr Lange, with blanket clearances by the Government. “This Government will continue to give blanket clearances to facilitate that Antarctic programme,” said Mr Lange. “It is a matter of regret that Sir Robert should play politics in this matter but it is also entirely predictable.” A spokesman for Mr Lange said the blanket clearance was given under section 10:3 of the anti-nuclear legislation, still before Parliament.

This provides for the Prime Minister only to grant approval to foreign military aircraft landing

in New Zealand if he is satisfied they are carrying no nuclear explosive device.

“Any such approval may relate to a category or class of foreign military aircraft and may be given for such period as is specified in the approval,” the bill says. Mr Lange’s spokesman pointed to the Antarctic Treaty agreement on demilitarisation of Antarctica, to which the United States is a party.

This was seen as further evidence of the un-likely-presence of nuclear weapons on aircraft passing through Christchurch Airport.