New Zealand: What is the problem?

Abstract

In January, Representative Sam Stratton and ten other members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee visited down under to pressure New Zealand back into the nuclear fold of ANZUS. Stratton described the Lange Labour government's policy of banning port visits by nuclear ships as New Zealand's wanting “to have its cake and eat it too”—that is, denying the U.S. Navy access to its ports while continuing to enjoy the protection of the trilateral (U.S., Australia, and New Zealand) ANZUS security pact. The U.S. secretary of the navy, John Lehman, used stronger language, denouncing the New Zealand position as “outrageous” and the “height of irresponsibility.” From Stratton and Lehman's point of view, the problem is simply one of disciplining a small allied country that is creating difficulties for America's global security system. But they misunderstand what is happening in the South Pacific. Like many other U.S. officials, they do not comprehend the problem.