U.S. says Antarctic flights nuclear-free

Press, 8 April 1987, Page 9

U.S. says Antarctic flights nuclear-free

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said yesterday that the United States itself had confirmed that its aircraft travelling through Christchurch to Antarctica did not carry nuclear arms. In Parliament yesterday, Mr Lange had been asked by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, how he could determine whether American military aircraft ' visiting Christchurch were nuclear-free. Mr Lange said he had been greatly assisted by a Radio New Zealand interview yesterday morning with an official .of the United States flpSonal Science Foundation?

The official had said the flights to Antarctica carried only material for operations on the Ice, according to Mr Lange. There was no question of military or nuclear facilities being transported, as the United States was a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty which banned such materials. The United States had to be "squeaky clean” on armaments and weapons in Antarctica, Mr Lange said. “So, there is already the disclosure by the United States Government of those aircraft and ships at work In Antarctica. The Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Sir Robert Muldoon, asked whether the blanket

clearance for ‘ United States flights through Christchurch also applied to aircraft going to other destinations than Antarctica. Mr Lange said a blanket clearance had applied to all aircraft using the base since Labour came into office and would continue once the nuclear-free legislation was passed. He then said Sir Robert had met dissidents within the United States Navy to embarrass the New Zealand Government about flights through Christchurch. The Speaker, Dr Wall, ruled this out of order. > Sir Robert said .Mr Mange’s statement waspn- ’ correct • z