U.S. envoy to stress alliance

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 6

U.S. envoy to stress alliance

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

Specific concerns of alliance responsibilities would be a priority item, said the incoming United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr Gaston Sigur, recently. Mr Sigur, who will replace Mr Paul Wolfowitz, said in his testimony before the senate foreign relations committee that he attached “great importance” during transition to maintaining policy. He did not specify policy areas and did not mention the A.N.Z.U.S. dispute with New Zealand. Mr Sigur did, however, say “the specific concerns of regional trade restrictions and imbalances and of alliance responsibilities will be high on my list for immediate attention, as will be the evolving circumstances in the Philippines, Cambodia and Korea.”

“I attach a great deal of importance to maintaining continuity and momentum during this process of

transition within the bureau,” he said, ZThe goal was to sustain “the excellent record of accomplishment" of Mr Wolfowitz, he said.' Mr Sigur said that'dur-, ing his tenure he foresaw, and was committed to, “the strengthening' of a non-antagonistic, wellbalanced, and mutually beneficial relationship be-, tween the United States and the Asian-Pacific region. v , “We . do believe , in adaptable J and realistic approaches to the international, scene ; as? it evolves over time• he said.

Mr Sigur, a George Washington . University professor specialising in Asian affairs, has been senior. director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council. . He is not expected to officially assume his new position until Mr Wolfowitz is confirmed as the new U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, : perhaps in March.- • Z