Libya not for forum —P.M.

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 8

Libya not for forum —P.M.

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington Vanuatu could rest assured that New Zealand had no intention of raising the Libyan, issue at the forthcoming South Pacific Forum so as to involve, the country’s internal affairs or sovereignty, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange. He was commenting on a report from Vanuatu (“The Press,” May 6) that raising the issue at the Forum meeting at Apia later this month ' would signal the end of the 13member regional grouping. The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Rev. Walter Lini, had said that Australia and New Zealand were trying to use Vanuatu’s diplomatic and trade ties with. Libya to isolate and destabilise the island State. Mr Lange said Father Lini’s statement had been based on the misleading and coloured press reports f . that had resulted from "Mr Lange’s meeting with the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Bill Hayden, set up hurriedly at Ohakea R.N.Z.A.F. base late last week. New .Zealand had no intention of raising issues relating to Vanuatu’s internal affairs or sovereignty at the Apia Forum or any other international meeting. But, like other Forum countries, New Zealand did have a legitimate interest in the security of the South Pacific. He said New Zealand would continue to talk to its friends, including Vanuatu,. about issues which had a bearing on that question.