A.N.Z.U.S.

Press, 4 September 1989, Page 20

A.N.Z.U.S.

Sir,—James Bacon again ignores evidence that A.N.Z.U.S. is nuclear. Although a retired admiral, seven years a Pentagon nuclear planner, said that “a reason we have these nice allies round the world” is to draw nuclear fire in a crisis, James Bacon says: “Trust our traditional allies!” Although a National Defence Minister affirmed that, in a crisis, New Zealand would accept for “reprovisioning” nuclear-armed aeroplanes and ships, your correspondent blandly generalises about "occasional visits” of ships “unlikely to be carrying nuclear weapons.” Admiral La Rocque adds that ships with nuclear weapons did not offload them before visiting “nuclear-free” ports. In World War I alliances sucked most nations, including New Zealand, into hostilities. That scenario, repeated with nuclear weapons, would destroy all participants. New Zealand must become neutral, giving all

incentives to accept its neutrality with internationally useful services, including peacemaking and — in case of a northern hemisphere nuclear war — survival aid for refugees.—Yours, etc.,

J. GALLAGHER. August 28, 1989.

Sir, — The zero option arms reduction proposal was first made by President Reagan in 1981, but rejected at the time by the Soviets. It was signed by Mr Gorbachev in February, 1987, because of Soviet concerns about the disadvantage at which they were placed by the Americans’ Strategic Defence Initiative. A recent correspondent may not be aware of this, or of the realities involved in getting the Soviets to participate in meaningful arms reduction negotiations. Another correspondent asks who our traditional allies are. I would suggest Australia, Britain, and the United States. Out relations with each of these countries is at an all-time low as a result of the Government’s anti-A.N.Z.U.S. policy. I would suggest we consider our small population, the vast area of ocean around us, and the unstable world in which we live and then ask if we can afford to ( be without A.N.Z.U.S. — Yours, etc., JAMES BACON. August 30, 1989.