He's back - as 'PM' Bolger

By Andrew Stone

Who is that familiar face on Auckland streets?

It's Jim Bolger, our man in Washington and, given the greetings of officials gliding around the arrangements for US President Bill Clinton's state visit, still "Prime Minister Bolger."

The title seems to stick, explains the former PM, back in New Zealand with wife Joan for the first time since he left for the US 18 months ago.

He says the designation helps open a few doors on Capitol Hill and remarks that former American Presidents are always called Mr President.

As ambassador, Mr Bolger is preparing the ground for Mr Clinton, and will accompany the White House party during its stay.

In Auckland, he has caught up with several old political mates, although he insists that as our top diplomat in the US he cannot utter any political views.

During a brief chat yesterday he confined his remarks to the New Zealand-US relationship, which he considered to be "in very good shape."

"The capacity to dialogue on all issues is a comfortable one across the board, and while we will never agree on all issues - and the most recent case was the tariffs on lamb - as ambassador in Washington I have very full access to all levels of the administration," said Mr Bolger.

"It's a very open, easy relationship."

The veteran politican agreed that the refusal of the US to admit NZ to its military exercises remained unfinished business, but he noted it had not prevented the long-term allies working closely in defence.

"If a peacekeeping force was to go into East Timor now it's almost certain there would be people there from both New Zealand and the United States."

Mr Bolger said the recent US dispute over New Zealand and Australian lamb involved American producers taking advantage of their laws.

The seasoned Apec insider - he led New Zealand at five summits - suggested that such hiccups would occur, but felt the thrust on trade was towards the World Trade Organisation and independent rulings to settle quarrels.

Looking fit halfway through his Washington term, Mr Bolger said it was good to be home but that he was enjoying his posting - apart from some alarm at the last All Black result.