Vanuatu bans Aust. military visits

Press, 12 May 1987, Page 1

Vanuatu bans Aust. military visits

NZPA-Reuter

Port Vila

Vanuatu yesterday announced a ban on visits by Australian warships and military aircraft as relations between the two countries deteriorated over the South Pacific island nation’s growing links with Libya.

The Prime Minister, the Rev. Walter Lini, said the move reflected “extreme displeasure” over Australian intelligence activities against his nation, formerly the Anglo-French territory of New Hebrides. Father Lini dismissed Australian concern'over the Libyan connection as a “non-issue,” but charged that Australian intelligence had been interfering in Vanuatu’s domestic affairs. “Vanuatu, as a sovereign State,

will strongly oppose these types - of covert activities whether they be from Australia or any other foreign State,” he said. Father Lini also criticised a

hastily arranged meeting be—tweenthe Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Bill Hayden, and the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Lange, two weeks ago to discuss the Vanuatu-Libyan link. Australian naval ships and military • aircraft; have made regular visits to Vanuatu as part of their South Pacific patrol duties. The Australian flagship Stalwart, accompanied by two patrol boats, was due to visit Port Vila next week. Officials in Port Vila said, however, that■ the defence cooperation agreement between the two nations was not likely to be affected immediately. About a dozen Australian servicemen are in Vanuatu as advisers to Vanuatu’s paramilitary forces and about. 30 Vanuatu servicemen are in Australia for military training. ' Father Lini welcomed the planned visit of the Australian Deputy Secretary of Foreign . Affairs, Mr David Sadlier, later this

week and said the discussions would include the Libyan question and Australian intelligence activities.

Father Lini said Vanuatu and Australia had a mature relationship that would be normalised “once certain understanding has been established.”

Vanuatu established diplomatic relations with Libya last year, claiming that the action was part of its non-aligned policy. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Hawke, reacting to Vanuatu’s suspension of visits by Australian warships and military aircraft; said Australia had the right to monitor developments in the Pacific region.