US senator promises to push NZ's case for free trade

Influential United States senator John McCain yesterday pledged to push New Zealand's case for a free-trade deal with the Bush Administration.

He said New Zealand's nuclear-free policy should not impede such a mutually beneficial agreement and that he was confident both governments were "very committed to the proposition".

Senator McCain, who challenged George W. Bush in the 2000 Republican presidential primary and is considered a contender for the next one, offered his help at a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Trade Minister Phil Goff in Christchurch.

The senator was passing through New Zealand after a visit to Antarctica with two other Republican senators, Susan Collins and John Sununu, plus members of the US House of Representatives.

After the meeting, Senator McCain said a free-trade deal between the US and New Zealand "would be very beneficial for both countries".

"I'm confident that both governments are very committed to the proposition and we can work it out."

New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy - long considered a barrier - was "a reality and something that's going to remain a reality and should not impede or stand in the way of issues of mutual interest such as a free-trade agreement.

"We don't agree with it, but that's the way it is. We don't expect to agree on every position."

Mr Goff said the the explicit support of Senator McCain was a step forward.

"John is an influential person within the system. He has offered to take up our case for an FTA with the Administration. That's not a silver bullet, but obviously the support of somebody of his standing is important to assist our case along the way.

"I don't think we are going to get an early resolution of our desire for an FTA, but it's something we've just got to work away at till we ultimately get there."

Especially helpful was the fact that the former Vietnam prisoner of war used to be a Navy man, Mr Goff said.

"NZ has tended to have some of its problems with people in the Navy who have been resentful of the ban."

The politicians also discussed climate change and the work New Zealand's troops were doing in Afghanistan and Iraq.