New US Ambassador climbs over a language barrier

Bill McCormick

New United States Ambassador Bill McCormick has effectively admitted he has got off to a terrible start in his first week on the job and he is now in repair mode.

That is the implication in an article in today's Herald in which Mr McCormick says some of his comments at a press conference last week were taken the wrong way.

"Both countries may speak English but American and Kiwi are two very different languages," he said.

"I made a few comments in my first few days here which didn't seem to land quite as I had anticipated."

Mr McCormick had barely arrived in New Zealand last week before meeting Helen Clark, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Trade Minister Phil Goff on Wednesday.

He then held a press conference on Friday answering questions about his intentions for a "comprehensive dialogue" to review the joint relationship.

The review was proposed in an exit speech by his predecessor, Charles Swindells, who said a mistrust had developed in the 20 years since New Zealand anti-nuclear laws had lead to the rift in the Anzus Treaty (or "Anzoo" as Mr McCormick called it).

In today's article, Mr McCormick also says his statement at the press conference that "the ball's in your court" - in reference to the proposed comprehensive dialogue between the two nations - had been interpreted as meaning the United States did not care about the relationship, that it was not going to make any moves on the matter, and that it was up to New Zealand to fix any problems in the relationship.

"That is not what those words mean to me."

Mr McCormick wanted to underscore Mr Swindells suggestion that both the United States and New Zealand could "choose to create an improved relationship dynamic that would carry us into the future."

"I would like to hear what New Zealanders have to say

"I would like to hear your suggestions for overcoming our differences."

The United States had said it was interested in creating a "forward-looking, strategic relationship" with New Zealand.

"So now we are asking if New Zealanders are interested in the same thing. That's what I meant when I said 'the ball's in your court'."

Mr McCormick also pointedly thanks New Zealand for its contribution to the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At her own press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Helen Clark appeared piqued at Mr McCormick's expression of disappointment last week that not all "freedom-loving" countries had joined the United States in the coalition of the willing.

Today he says that in the short time he has been here, he has spoken many times about how much the United States appreciates New Zealand's participation in the rebuilding of Iraq and its contribution to Afghanistan.

"Let me say it again. Thank you. The US values New Zealand's contribution."

New Zealand sent 70 Army engineers to Iraq to help with reconstruction, but they have returned home.

In Afghanistan, New Zealand has a Provincial Reconstruction Team of 120 staff in Bamiyan province pledged to stay until September next year and about 50 Special Air Service soldiers, now on their third rotation.