Call for N.Z. to help resolve Vanuatu crisis

Press, 19 December 1988, Page 9

Call for N.Z. to help resolve Vanuatu crisis

By

GLEN PERKINSON

New Zealand should not be “sitting on its nuclearfree hands” while watching destabilisation in the Pacific continue, says the New Zealand NuclearFree ' Peacemaking Association.

An association spokesman, Mr John Gallagher, said yesterday that the crisis in Vanuatu needed more than New Zealand’s previous assistance of medical goods and hardware.

“Hopefully the Government and public of New Zealand will realise the riot shields and blood plasma sent last May

were not the answer.” When riots broke out in Vanuatu’s capital of Port Vila in May this year, the New Zealand Government responded by sending diplomatic protection squad police to ensure the safety of its High Commission staff along with blood plasma, tents and row boats.

Yesterday Mr Gallagher said the association wanted to see the Government do more, and not use its nuclear-free policy as an excuse to do nothing. What the association advocated was the use of skilled mediators with a

strong regional understanding. There was no source of recognised mediators available, he added, and conflict resolution was needed now more than ever in the Pacific.

Mr Gallagher said interPacific understanding could be enhanced if “sis-ter-city relationships were extended to include sisterisland communities with sister-school, sports club and professional group links.

“Conflict studies and mediation training with an international dimension should become a central part of New Zealand education,” he said.