Peters causes diplomatic flurry, will take message to US 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he hopes to visit the United States later this year to press his case for greater recognition for New Zealand.

Mr Peters caused a minor diplomatic flurry yesterday by suggesting the US undervalues New Zealand's work in the Pacific and Britain isn't pulling its weight in the region.

Today, Mr Peters said that his unscripted comments were intended to underline New Zealand's role in the Pacific and the international arena to those who may not have noticed.

"All I was saying was that in the time we meet this year in the United States in Washington, I intend to remind them of the many growing and complex things that we are involved in that they may not be valuing to the extent that they should," Mr Peters said on National Radio this morning.

Mr Peters said he hoped to travel to Washington "just after mid year" but meanwhile hoped to remind the US that New Zealand was doing a lot worldwide and deserved recognition for it.

"There are a whole lot of events in the world in which the United States has a serious concern and has objectives in which we are engaged in as a country," Mr Peters said.

"We need to bring them up to date in terms of their understanding so that this work is not undervalued."

His speech yesterday provoked responses from the US Embassy and the British High Commission -- and won backing from Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Mr Peters, briefly abandoning his cautious approach to his new portfolio, told the Institute of International Affairs in Wellington he suspected the US had overlooked New Zealand's contribution to security and stability in the Pacific for a long time.

"Our connection to the Pacific in dealing with the United States is important...we should remind them of what we have done and why we are doing it, so they might better understand how 4.2 million people do matter in this world," he said.

Mr Peters suggested that if the US was more aware of this, relations between the two countries might improve.

US Ambassador William McCormick quickly responded, issuing a statement saying the US deeply appreciated the critical security and stability work New Zealand did in the Pacific.

Indicating he would like to sort that out face to face, he said he looked forward to discussing the issue with Mr Peters.

The foreign minister turned on Britain in his speech when he said the region had once been under its colonial rule.

"You once had dominion over these people. You can't exit it and leave for somebody else to pay for and help build," he said.

"We're taking these responsibilities on board."

British High Commissioner Richard Fell said Britain remained engaged in the Pacific through its contribution to the large European Union aid programme in the region.

"We have noted Mr Peters' comments and we certainly recognise the very important role which New Zealand plays in the Pacific, and we acknowledge the consular support which New Zealand provides UK citizens in some parts of it," he said.

The Prime Minister said she agreed with the comments Mr Peters made.

"I think often the work New Zealand does to support security and stability in the Pacific is undervalued, and we do a great deal of it," she told reporters.

"I think because the Pacific is a small region and not high profile, the role that neighbours like New Zealand play in it is not really noticed -- it doesn't get the recognition it deserves."

She said New Zealand was supporting counter-terrorism provisions in the region, and she did not think Mr Peters' remarks would be seen by the US as criticism.

- NZPA