Diplomats to get cash boost

By FRAN O'SULLIVAN assistant editor

New Zealand diplomats will get more money in next month's Budget to enable them to be more effective in a fast-changing world.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the days of Budget cuts to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade were over.

The ministry had the infrastructure but had been left "pretty tight on operations", she said.

Big initiatives such as New Zealand's drive for a free-trade agreement with the United States had to be financed.

New Zealand's profile at the European Union, where 10 East European nations are poised to join the EU, also needed on-the-ground support.

"For something like the ministry, which has required quite a lot of extra money, they couldn't have done it within their budget," Helen Clark said.

"They've got good people and sharp people. But when it gets to the level that ambassadors don't think they can take the early train at peak time but getting the later train at off-peak time makes you miss the meeting ...

"I'm sympathetic to their cause. I know a lot of people have the image of diplomatic corps with cocktails and the rest of it.

"But it's not like that. It's damn hard work - they hardly do the entertaining at home any more. It's long hours in the office and often in difficult and dusty capitals."

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff emphasised that New Zealand had to adapt its resources so it could better promote its interests and play its role as a good international citizen.

His officials were probably working harder than ever before.

"We've changed our policy and our resourcing in regard to Latin America because that suddenly is an opportunity for us.

"We're now looking at Eastern Europe because many of those countries will accede to the European Union next year - so we're looking at whether we're adequately resourcing that area."

Asia 2000 Foundation might also get more funds.

Helen Clark has asked its executive director, Chris Butler, to arrange a major conference to get greater focus on the Asian region.

Asia 2000 chairman Sir Dryden Spring lobbied her last year to gain support for building New Zealand's relationship with Asian nations.

He said the conference would take place at Parliament's Legislative Chamber in November.