Govt rejects former defence head’s view

Press, 23 July 1987, Page 14

Govt rejects former defence head’s view

Political reporter An assertion by the former Defence Chief of Staff, Sir Ewan Jamieson, that the Government used the nuclear-ship issue to get out of A.N.Z.U.S. has been rejected by the Government

The Acting Minister of Defence, Mr Fraser Colman, said Sir Ewan’s assertion was unworty of him.

In an address to Christchurch’s Concerned Citizens Coalition, Sir Ewan said that while many countries opposed nuclear weapons, New Zealand alone demanded absolute assurances.

By not allowing a small measure of doubt and trusting allies, New Zealand had given "a calculated message” that it wanted to end its alliance,

said Sir Ewan. Mr Colman said it surprised and concerned him that such a respected and senior figure distorted the Government’s policy. Sir Ewan had also lent his name and authority to the National Party’s recent change of policy. On the suggestion of absolute assurances and a Prime Ministerial declaration that no nuclear weapons were present in visiting ships, Mr Colman said there was no such requirement. "The Prime Minister is not required to make any such declaration at all,” he said. The anti-nuclear legislation contained no such provision. Sir Ewan must be well aware of this, said Mr Colman.

He also accused Sir Evan of choosing to disre-

gard the efforts made with his assistance to find a formula to accommodate British and American concerns.

No resolution proved possible, although an honest attempt was made on both sides, he said. “The notion that New Zealand has moved to a position of non-alignment is also false. That suggestion defies the evidence,” said Mr Colman. Close defence links were maintained with Australia, and New Zealand worked effectively with the United States on a range of international issues, he said. Mr Colman said he was saddened that Sir Ewan had chosen to misrepresent the Government’s policy.