U.S. Secretary of State Starts Pacific Tour Stressing Environment
11/3/97
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Headline: U.S. Secretary of State Starts Pacific Tour Stressing
Environment
Source: Reuters
Date: 11/3/97
Copyright 1997 by Reuters
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of
State Strobe Talbott emphasized the importance of environmental
issues following his first meetings on a two-week Asia-Pacific
trip that started in New Zealand Monday.
``Could I answer a question which hasn't been asked: What
about the environment?','' he told reporters at a press
briefing.
Up to then Talbott had fielded questions about the still
shaky defence relationship between the United States and New
Zealand.
``When President Clinton and Secretary (Madeleine) Albright
sent us on this mission...they asked us at every stop on the
way...to do full justice to the environmental agenda,'' he said,
after a one-hour meeting with New Zealand Foreign Affairs and
Trade Minister Don McKinnon.
``We have been talking this morning about climate change,
the environmental catastrophe in Indonesia, which has regional
implications. And this is, as far as we are concerned, a
mainstream issue,'' he added.
Talbott would not be drawn on progress in the defense
relationship which saw New Zealand downgraded from ``ally'' to
``friend'' when it refused entry to its ports to nuclear armed
and powered warships in 1987.
``The bottom line is New Zealand and the United States are
kindred spirits. We are promoting many of the same interests and
values around the world,'' he said.
``The fundamentals of the bilateral relationship are superb.
We all know...there is what we call some unfinished business
between us. The alliance that used to bind us together (ANZUS)
is suspended but that still leaves plenty of room, plenty of
activities where we can advance our common interests.''
Wellington is finalizing a defense review, including a key
decision on whether to add to its order of frigates from
Australia in addition to two already contracted.
``My view on the defence capability New Zealand should
retain is that that is New Zealand's business,'' Talbott said.
McKinnon, who favors greater defense spending, said: ``We
certainly want to play our part in the general security in the
region. We are benefiting enormously by the political stability
in this region -- that political stability is largely brought
about by a very strong U.S. presence in the region.''
After leaving New Zealand, Talbott will visit Australia,
Indonesia, Laos, China, Japan and South Korea, returning to
Washington on Nov. 14.