Anger on author stance

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 1

Anger on author stance

by

TONY VERDON

in London

Britain’s Conservative Party members of the European Parliament are threatening to withdraw support for New Zealand access to European markets because of the Salman Rushdie affair. The New Zealand Government’s refusal to back diplomatic reprisals against Iranian demands that Rushdie be killed has angered the European members of Parliament. The Conservative spokesman on consumer affairs in the European Parliament, Dr Caroline Jackson, said the issue was one of free speech.

“Why should we fight for New Zealand butter and lamb exports against those of our Community partners, and why should we stand up for it in our forthcoming election campaign, if the New

Zealand Government will not stand up for free speech?” Dr Jackson appears to be particularly upset about comments by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, that New Zealand was not prepared to put its lucrative sheepmeat exports to Iran at risk “because of a threat made to a writer of a book in London.” He said that he did not know “whether any country in the world is proposing to jeopardise their entire economy.” Since his comments, European countries have taken a tougher stance in opposition to the Iranian threat against Rushdie. Increasingly this week, Mr Lange’s comments have looked out of place with the diplomatic isolation of Iran over the Rushdie affair.

Mr Lange’s comments were given widespread coverage on

British radio, and the threat from European members of Parliament was featured in “The Times,” newspaper in London. The disagreement could cloud the present negotiations over future quantities of New Zealand sheepmeat and butter to be allowed into Europe.

The Council of Agriculture Ministers is expected to settle future quantities during a meeting in Brussels next month. While members of the European Parliament are not directly involved in those talks, they will have an influence over future negotiations.

Members of the Council -of Agriculture Ministers also come from the European Governments which this week have taken such a tough line in opposition to Iran’s threat against Rushdie.