Wellington, April 10: One of the architects of New Zealand’s 1986 nuclear free legislation that led to a rift with Washington believes it is time United States warships were allowed to return to the South Pacific nation, it was reported Saturday.
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, the deputy prime minister when the controversial legislation came into force, was quoted as saying the return of the US Navy to New Zealand waters was not only possible but “would be desirable”.
New Zealand’s nuclear-free legislation sparked a row with the United States which refused to confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons on its ships.
The stand-off led to a refusal to allow US Navy ships into New Zealand ports and in return New Zealand was shut out of a three-way military alliance with Australia and the United States.
But Palmer told the Dominion Post newspaper that while the nuclear-free legislation was important and symbolic “in its day”, the world had changed in the past 24 years.
Changes to US nuclear policy in the 1990s and this week’s landmark nuclear disarmament deal with Russia meant old objections to ship visits no longer applied, Palmer said.
“I think New Zealand could have ship visits now. I think it is something you could get on the agenda without too much difficulty.”
His comments came as Prime Minister John Key heads to Washington for a summit which seeks to raise awareness about the threat of “nuclear terrorism”.
The summit was “vindication” of New Zealand’s stance, Palmer said.
“I think there is more appetite in the world for New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance than there was back then.”
—Agencies