Ambassador questions nuclear-free stand

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 6

Ambassador questions nuclear-free stand

PA Wellington New Zealanders must ask themselves whether prohibiting nuclear-cap-able ships or full partnership in the Western community was more important, said the United States Ambassador, Mr Paul Cleveland, yesterday. In his last major speech before leaving New Zealand, Mr Cleveland said answering that question was essential to the future of the A.N.Z.U.S. relationship between the United States and New Zealand. He told the Dunedin branch of the Institute of International Affairs that the world was watching New Zealand as it came to grips with being out of A.N.Z.U.S. “The world, including the United States, welcomes your contribution to international peacekeeping. But that still leaves the question: Will your efforts be considered sufficient over time by others?” he said.

“How you address and answer this key question will go a long way to defining the role and influence you have in the world. "Your foreign policy clout, including your influence on disarmament questions, will be a function of your conclusion.

“As Inconvenient and unpalatable as that question may be, it is one to which, I should think, you would want to develop the most clear-sighted answers, in the interest of maintaining optimal goodneighbour status and selfrespect.” Mr Cleveland said that before the A.N.Z.U.S. rift, New Zealand had “far greater influence in Washington than its size alone might have warranted” and "whispered in the ear of the world’s greatest power.” The relationship between the countries had diminished with the United States not providing defence and Intelligence help to New Zealand. But, the United States would not seek retributive action and would continue to co-operate with New Zealand in Antarctica and help push for global free trade.