Ironies in celebrations

Press, 30 May 1987, Page 8

Ironies in celebrations

By

BRENDON BURNS

Western Samoa’s celebrations of its twenty-fifth anniversary of independence, to begin tomorrow, are producing some diplomatic ironies. Already in Apia port is H.M.N.Z.S. Wellington. One or two French warships are also due to arrive during the week-end and will berth alongside the New Zealand frigate. United States Navy craft will also drop an-

chor. The Wellington’s captain, Commander Alaistair Clayton-Greene, declined to comment on the diplomatic ironies presented by his vessel’s berthing alongside those of a nation which sank a ship in New Zealand waters less than two years ago, and those of a country with which New Zealand has lost defence links. These were matters for diplomats and politicians,

he said. The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, arrived in Western Samoa on an Air New Zealand flight in the early hours of yesterday morning. He was up and about after little sleep, strolling through Apia’s market before visiting the New Zealand High Commission. In the evening, he was among South Pacific Forum leaders who attended a dinner aboard the Australian naval

vessel Tobruk, hosted by the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Hawke.

Mr Lange is due to give his first press conference in Apia today after the forum’s opening session moves into a “retreat." This five-hdur meeting, including lunch, is attended only by political leaders, not officials, and is where the real issues of the forum — Fiji and Libya — are expected to be thrashed out.