Mr Lange keeps S.A.S. on alert

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 1

Mr Lange keeps S.A.S. on alert

B y.

PETER LUKE

/ jq Wellington '< • A Hercules aircraft and the Special Air Service remained on standby last evening — in spite of the ending of the five-hour hijack drama at Nandi Airporf. The continued standby suggested both that the Government was sceptical that the on-agaln off-again coup was indeed over, and that direct intervention to protect New Zealand life or property could be ruled out. As on Monday, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, would not comment on reports that the coup had ended until the situation in Suva had been clarified. A key concern for Mr Lange is who has been appointed to advise the Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia GanilaU. Mr Lange had earlier refused to recognise the Governor-Gen-eral’s swearfhg-in of "the usurper, Rabuka,” attributing Ratu Ganilau's decision to do so to his “exhaustion.”

. “There is no constitutional provision for such legitlmisatlon to occur,” Mid; MifUihge? The Government would continue' to support Rato Ganilau’s attempts to restore democracy, and his appeal for the Army to. return to. its barracks/ he said. “What is needed now is . a period of calm,** said Mr Lange. The S.A.S. Was put on the ready when news of the hijacking was received. Throughout yesterday the Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the size or location bf the standby force. Mr Lange would only say last evening that it remained in a state of preparedness “in case the situation in Fiji warranted it” ‘ ’ - ,M New Zealand would not have asked Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka for permission to send in the S.A.S. to end the hijacking. Only Ratu Penaia Would have been consulted. ' - Mr Lange’s statement was in

lifc withhis policy ofrwfestag to talk to the “usurpers” who had Air New Zealand had bandied the hijacking, and said that there was no evidence that the hijacker, Ahmjed AH, had political motives. , . V- « \ , He described AH as ah “Unstable individual acting alone,” although he suggested that the tension in Flji may have contributed, to his instability. Mr Lange declined to comment on a report that AH had demanded to be taken to Libya. He has already said that toe likely scenario — a caretaker Government and a new election would advocate. Mr Lange yesterday met toe Defence Council and briefed the Domestic and External Committee oh Security. He has been also in contact with Australia’s Acting Minister of Defence.-