Audrey Young: United States ship visit - no trumpets please

Vice President of the United States Joe Biden addresses guests at a Business reception at the Langham Hotel. Photo / Dean Purcell

A US ship visit is something for New Zealand to celebrate, but don't be blowing a trumpet about it or the Americans might be offended.

The prospect of Kiwis thinking they have "won" the anti-nuclear stand-off is a sensitive issue in Washington.

That's why John Key was quick to say today that it was not a victory for New Zealand or a defeat for Washington but a celebration for both.

The fear of triumphalism in New Zealand may even have delayed the US from ending the absurdity of a self-imposed ban - which it will do by sending a ship in November.

Message to Washington: Almost everyone in New Zealand will be trumpeting your return for some reason.

The right-wing hawks will be happy that the US is back in town; the left-wing peace activists will be happy that the US blinked first.

Ironically, many activists will probably hope that the ship is a warship, not some fuel tanker or hospital ship. That would make the "non-victory" even sweeter - re-entry on New Zealand's terms.

The only people who won't be happy will be the die-hard anti-Americans; and perhaps those in the Y generation who have no grasp of history.

The New Zealand Navy's 75th birthday invitation for a ship visit has given the Obama Administration an opportunity to end an absurdity prolonged by the US Navy long after the political wounds had been healed.

The ban was an absurdity that until 2012 saw the United States have greater military contact with countries it barely called acquaintances, let alone very, very, very good friends.

The Americans could have come back at any time.

The New Zealand law has never banned US ships. It requires the New Zealand Prime Minister to be certain that any visiting ship complies with New Zealand law prohibiting nuclear armed or propelled vessels.

It does not New Zealand to ask the question.

It does not require the Americans to confirm or deny anything.

It requires skilled officials to look up Jane's Fighting Ships on Google and inform the Prime Minister whether a specific vessel is nuclear armed or powered.

Key has signed at least 40 declarations for other countries' visiting ships.

Joe Biden's acceptance of the invitation to send a ship means the US is back in the club.