U.S. 'cannot afford’ leniency for N.Z.

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 20

U.S. 'cannot afford’ leniency for N.Z.

NZPA-AAP Canberra

The United States could not afford to be lenient with New Zealand over nuclear ships because of the possible effect on other allies, including Australia, said the United States Ambassador to Australia, Mr William Lane. The United States had to be careful not to signal to the rest of its allies that they could break a contractual arrangement without suffering the loss of benefits. New Zealand’s contribution to the A.N.Z.U.S. alliance was the provision of port facilities for the united States Navy, Mr Lane said. New Zealand, could not deny those facilities and not suffer loss of benefits under the alliance or, as he put it, “have their cake and eat it too.” Mr Lane was answering questions at his first news conference after taking up the Canberra post five

weeks ago. While emphasising that the United. States needed to be firm, Mr Lane said he would strongly oppose extended action against New Zealand such as trade sanctions or a campaign against American tourism. He said that New Zealand had already lost the benefit of military and Intelligence co-operation it had enjoyed under A.N.Z.U.S. because of the ban on nuclear ships. 'Mr Lane played down remarks made in Washington on Thursday by the United States Navy Secretary, Mr John Lehman, who described New Zealand’s actions as outrageous, and hinted at the need for trade sanctions. Mr Lane described Mr Lehman’s remarks as an individual view, not reflecting United States policy.

He said if there were to be strong responses from American officials to the ships ban, it was not sur-

prising that the strongest should come from the Navy Secretary.

The United States had one navy, not one nuclear and one non-nuclear navy, he said.

Its operations were integrated and played an i important deterrent role j in the interests of the free ! world, including in the i Pacific. ! Mr Lane said he I thought there was still a j..' future for A.N.Z.U.S. be- 3 ; cause of the strong bilateral relationship be- ] tween the United States and Australia. j “I perceive nothing i from any (Australian) ; Government, Liberal or Labour, that suggests they i want to walk away from ' j the alliance,” he said. i While he hoped New j Zealand would rejoin the pact, it was impossible to predict when that might happen, or how. Mr Lane made it clear ■; that New Zealand would ] have to play by the rules ' of A.N.Z.U.S.