Visit to Paris not astute at present, says P.M.

Press, 13 April 1988, Page 1

Visit to Paris not astute at present, says P.M.

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter

The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said it would I not be astute for him to visit I Paris later this month. :

At a briefing yesterday, Mr Lange provided details of his 10day journey to Europe, and re-turn-journey stopover in California. 11 ; | [; He will have two days each in London and Brussels, with the emphasis on I promoting trade, particularly i New Zealand’s butter exports! |[ However, Mr Lange said he did not deem it “productive” to go to Paris.

"It would probably not be the most astute thing; to visit Paris between the; [first and second presidential elections.”

He rejected a suggestion that the Government was “soft-pedall-ing” its case for the return to Hao of Major Alain Mafart, because it had trade interests to protect. [ There was no point in considering such a course of action because the French ' agents and butter, exports were completely unrelated, said Mr Lange. I “If [we gift-wrapped Mafart and Prieur and had them jump out of. a birthday cake in the middle of the Champs Elysees; it would not produce a single pound more butter in France,” he said.

Mr Lange will meet British Cabinet Ministers responsible for education; agriculture and trade during a hectic day of engagements in London. He will also

meet the Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, [anil the Prime Minister,' Mrs Thatcher! I ■i’The attitude of Mrs Thatcher and Sir i Geoffrey [against New Zealand’s ban on j nuclear-ship visits was perfectly clear, said Mr Lange. 11l ' But Britain had committed itself to advocate New {Zealand’s case foij butter i exports Ito the European-market. I i Last year, while visiting Wellington, Sir Geoffrey had said the anti-nuclear policy would| make arguing I New Zealand’s case more difficult. ! | i- | Mr Lange said yfesterday that Ireland was accepted as 'a nonnuclear [nation within the; European Community. | “I no doubt whatever that Geoffrey Howe will Ibe faithful to 'li I I ” -till

the mandate to negotiate I the preservation of New Zealand’s interests,” he said.

While, in London, Mr Lange will also have meetings with; the Commonwealth Secretary-Gen-eral, Sir Shridath Ramphal, and the Labour Party leader, Mr Neil Kinnock.

In Brussels, he will meet the Belgian King and the 'Prime Minister, and the European Community president, Mr Jacques Delors, and vice-president,! Mr Frans Andriesen. The Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Moore, I will attend the last two meetings. On his journey home, | Mr Lange will stop in California to receive a peace prize from the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa Barbara.