Lange blamed for U.S. mistrust

Press, 17 May 1989, Page 9

Lange blamed for U.S. mistrust

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington A retired senior Defence officer yesterday said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, held personal responsibility for the severing of the Defence relationship by the United States. Brigadier Alf Hamilton was the Defence liaison officer at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington in early 1984. He said yesterday that he had accompanied Mr Lange, then Leader of the Opposition, to a meeting with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence, Mr Richard Armitage.

Mr Armitage had said to Mr Lange that the Labour Party’s anti-nuclear policy could cause problems for American ship visits. “Mr Lange said something to the effect, ‘Well, Mr Armitage, you don’t have to worry about that’,” said Brigadier Hamilton yesterday. A spokesman for Mr Lange denied the account of what was said at the meeting. “It’s completely untrue,” said the spokesman. Brigadier Hamilton was adamant and said Mr Lange’s assurance had contributed to the

severity of the American response when the visit of the U.S.S. Buchanan was rejected. His comments come after a similar statement by Air Commodore Gilliard, who attended a meeting Mr Lange had in Washington the previous year. Air Commodore Gilliard said Mr Lange gave an assurance to the United States that ship visits would continue under a Labour Government. Brigadier Hamilton said that after two meetings at which Mr Lange said there would be no problem, the United States was surprised and annoyed when the

Buchanan visit was rejected. He had spoken to Mr Armitage later the same day the meeting with Mr Lange took place. The American Defence official was optimistic there would be no trouble arising from Labour’s anti-nuclear policy. The Opposition spokesman on Defence, Mr Don McKinnon, said yesterday that it was not surprising the United States Administration was not prepared to trust Mr Lange’s Government. “It is no wonder the United States does not put out the welcome mat for Mr Lange,” he said.