PM expects closer relations after Peters' chat with Rice

Winston Peters

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has flagged a significant shift in United States-New Zealand relations, saying she wants to "move forward" and take the relationship beyond the 20-year impasse over nuclear policy.

That statement was hailed as a "very important development" by Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday and could signal an end to the long-running discord between the two countries since New Zealand enacted its nuclear-free legislation.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters had a 30-minute meeting with Dr Rice in Washington yesterday.

Helen Clark said the report she had received from the meeting said Dr Rice had made it clear the US wished to heighten its relationship with New Zealand. "It's a very significant development. There was a clear wish to move the relationship forward."

Mr Peters also called the meeting a success, and said he and Dr Rice had committed themselves to strengthening the relationship between New Zealand and the United States.

What "moving the relationship forward" might entail is unclear, but it could involve acceleration of New Zealand attempts to gain a free trade agreement with the United States or a resumption of military exercises.

The Prime Minister said Dr Rice had been positive about New Zealand's role in the Pacific.

"She was understanding of the long-term nature of the effort we have been making and would be making."

Mr Peters said his objectives for his US trip had been met and he looked forward to more meetings with Dr Rice.

"The Secretary and I discussed opportunities to deepen the bilateral relationship further, including around the approaching 50th anniversary of US/NZ co-operation in Antarctica," Mr Peters said.

"We obviously have a shared interest in promoting stability and prosperity in places such as Afghanistan and in the broader Asia-Pacific region."

Mr Peters said Dr Rice had not raised New Zealand's anti-nuclear ban during the talks but had said it was time to "move on".

Mr Peters also met several senators and congressmen and women.

Former top diplomat Bruce Brown, now Senior Fellow at Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies, said New Zealand politicians could look forward to more frequent high-level meetings with American leaders.

"It means rather closer consultations," Mr Brown said. "When you have a circuit of countries that you discuss particular problems with I think it means closer, more ready consultation."

Trade and defence relationships could also improve. "I think the US has probably woken up a bit with the problems in the Pacific recently, notably in the Solomons and in Timor, that New Zealand, with Australia, is playing a pretty positive role. I would rather hope moving forward would bring the negotiations for a free trade agreement up the agenda too."

In Parliament yesterday National leader Don Brash and Foreign Affairs spokesman Murray McCully expressed doubts about the success of Mr Peters' visit and questioned whether Helen Clark could still have confidence in the Foreign Minister.

Trade Minister Phil Goff told Parliament Korea and Malaysia were ahead of New Zealand in the queue to sign a free-trade deal with the US, but that US Trade Representative Susan Schwab had shown some sympathy for New Zealand's position.

- additional reporting: John Armstrong.