P.M. likens pilots to mercenaries

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 6

P.M. likens pilots to mercenaries

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington

New Zealand pilots who are recruited to fly Iroquois helicopters for the Papua New Guinea Government were yesterday likened to mercenaries by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange.

A Christchurch man is seeking the contract to provide the pilots and says they could earn more than $lOO,OOO a year. Papua New Guinea is being supplied with four Iroquois helicopters by Australia.

They are to be used in non-combative roles to assist with efforts to quell a rebellion by dissidents on copper-rich Bougainville. No Australian aircrews are being sent with the helicopters.

The R.N.Z.A.F. flies Iroquois but a spokesman yesterday doubted any of the Air Force pilots would be tempted by the Papua New Guinea contracts.

“I would be very surprised if any pilots did leave,” said Wing Commander Andy Beattie, R.N.Z.A.F. director of officer postings. The New Labour Party’s international affairs spokesman, Mr Keith Locke, has said New Zealand pilots would reflect badly on New Zealand. It might be taken as implicating Government support, he said. Mr Lange dismissed this suggestion. “It has implications for New Zealanders who voluntarily accept for a money consideration, usually called mercenaries, the risks attendant upon going to an area where there is what amounts to civil disorder.” New Zealand pilots who got into difficulties in Bougainville did not have an automatic trip wire which would see New Zealand troops sent in to bail them out, said Mr Lange.