‘U.S. must never distort truth’

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 11

‘U.S. must never distort truth’

NZPA-Reuter Miami Pope John Paul II told President Reagan yesterday (N.Z. time) that the United States must never use its freedom and power to distort the truth, manipulate public opinion or abuse its authority. In a long speech on the meaning of freedom, the Pope also called on the United States to use its strength to serve the world and help poor countries. The Pope, on the first day of his nine-day United States tour, made the speech after the two men met for more than an hour in a spectacular mock-Renaissance estate. “Any manipulation of public opinion, any abuse of authority or power, or on the other hand, just the omission of vigilance, endangers the heritage of a

free people,” he said. The Pope did not elaborate but Mr Reagan has been battered for months by the Iran-Contra scandal in which aides secretly used profits from arms sales to Iran to fund the Nicaraguan Contra rebels. The Pope called on the United States to match its past generosity by contributing to a world order that would create a more just economic and trade relationship between nations. During their talks, the two men discussed the situation in central America and United States-Soviet relations. Mr Reagan said he discussed with the Pope progress towards “genuine peace” in Central America. He added that he as-

sured the Pope that the United States was com- ; mitted to the extension of ! democracy throughout Latin America. i “I told him the United States is unshakeably committed to establishing an enduring world peace and the expansion of human freedom around the globe,” The Pope said America must guard and transmit its freedom. “She is called to exercise it in such a way that it will also benefit the cause of freedom in other nations and among other peoples,” he said. The Pontiff, ending a day which began more than 18 hours before in Rome, appealed to the United States to promote a more just relationship between rich and poor countries.