Editorial: We're coming in from the cold

Opinion

The family of fallen New Zealand soldier Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell probably won't care a jot, but the predicted thawing of relations between this country and the US will be a long overdue recognition of the sacrifices we have made in their name.

American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton touches down here this week for a visit that diplomats are saying will mark a "turning point in history" for our relationship.

One Kiwi expert, retired diplomat Brian Lynch, believes Clinton will pave the way for annual top-level talks and that key issues, including trade rules and climate change, will be up there on the listas well as a relaxing of the presidential ban on joint military exercises.

Finally, after 25 years, New Zealand is set to come in from the cold. Our no nukes policy will no longer make us the outcast our military, in particular, have felt.

The change in policy from President Barack Obama's administration is, of course, long overdue.

When Lieutenant O'Donnell, 28, died in Afghanistan earlier this year, he was wearing the uniform of a Kiwi soldier, but was doing the bidding of the US. He was part of a convoy on patrol in Bamyan Province when they were hit by a homemade bomb. Lance Corporal Matthew Ball, 24, and Private Allister Baker, 23, were flown home with O'Donnell's body because of their injuries.

The Kiwi contingent was there at the request of the US and there have been repeated calls for us to stay on. It has beggared belief that the US has called in New Zealand help in various foreign fields, yet held us at arm's length.

The change may not make a difference to O'Donnell's family, but it should mean something - his sacrifice is likely to be raised by Clinton as one of the reasons the countries need to move closer together.

Though the Anzus alliance is unlikely to be restored, we are back in the fold and will be better trained and prepared because of it. The American concession, if it happens, can also be described as a victory for successive governments which have championed David Lange's nuclear-free vision, even if some were less inclined to hold the line than others.

We have refused to allow into our ports nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels and that will not change. It should also be noted the Americans are not likely to change their neither-confirm-nor-deny policy.

So it's matey-matey but the status quo on the core issue. Which begs the question, why did it take 25 years to get to this point? The answer is pointless mulishness on both sides.

Irrespective, the rapprochement should be greeted warmly.

The US, as evidenced by its under-pressure greenback in recent weeks, is not the power it once was. But it is still the pre-eminent player internationally and a closer relationship can only benefit us.

A key to that is getting movement on trade. A free trade deal similar to the one the Australians have could inject billions of dollars into the economy. Our story on page 25 today demonstrates how the nuclear-free stance has hindered business.

Lynch says of the NZ-US relationship: "There are more possibilities now than any time since the 1980s." Let's hope he is right.

PM John Key has forged a good bond with Obama. With the handbrake coming off, he will need to ratchet things up. We need more than chummy photo shoots out of this one.