Cook Islands P.M. disclaims neutrality declaration

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 3

Cook Islands P.M. disclaims neutrality declaration

PA Auckland The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Sir Thomas Davis, yesterday disclaimed his declaration of neutrality for the island State, amid criticism from his political opponents and the New Zealand Government.

In a speech in the Fijian capital of Suva this week he was reported to have declared his country neutral because of what he saw as the collapse of the A.N.Z.U.S. alliance. The announcement prompted criticism from the leader of the Cook Islands Opposition Democratic Party, who said Sir

Thomas had no mandate for such a statement The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said he was not taking Sir Thomas’ statement seriously as he had been assured by the Cook Islands Foreign Minister, Mr Norman George, that such a decision could only be taken by the Cabinet. Sir Thomas said yesterday that he had never intended to declare his country neutral in the same way as Switzerland was nonaligned. Speaking in an Auckland hotel, where Sir Thomas was staying en route to the Cook Islands,

his staff hastily assembled a press release which avoided the word “neutrality” and emphasised the importance of a policy of peaceful co-existence.

Sir Thomas admitted he had used the word “neutrality” during his speech in Suva.

“It was not really what I meant,” he said. “I initially thought of the idea in terms of neutrality, but that did not seem to fit.” Sir Thomas said New Zealand’s relations with several foreign countries posed difficulties to the Cook Islands Government. He said the A.N.Z.U.S. row had soured relation-

ships with the United States, and the Rainbow Warrior affair had affected ties with France. Yet those two countries were providing substantial foreign capital to assist the development of the Cook Islands.

“We are placed in a difficult position,” said Sir Thomas. “I am caught in the middle. “New Zealand is at loggerheads with at least a couple of our friends and I have declared that we want peaceful co-exist-ence with all our friends. “Let them have their squabbles between themselves,” said Sir Thomas.

However, Sir Thomas said the A.N.Z.U.S. dispute had left his country “quite bereft” of any defence, and that concerned him.

“I must take a pragmatic look at the matter. I care for the security of my people as much as. Mr Lange and President Reagan care for theirs.” Sir Thomas said nuclear ships would be welcome in the Cook Islands. “I do not think that nuclear bans get to the heart of the matter if you want peace and security,” he said. “It is a very superficial notion that nuclear bans will save us from the holocaust.”