[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 77 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 IN PRAISE OF RENEWED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND THE 
                             UNITED STATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, since 1987, the U.S. Government has 
restricted political, military, and security contacts with the nation 
of New Zealand in response to that country's adoption of antinuclear 
legislation that was perceived to impact adversely on United States 
military practices.
  Although I can understand why our defense ties and ANZUS obligations 
to New Zealand were terminated, I have never approved of the across-
the-board snubbing that Washington forced Wellington to endure for 
years. While we restricted high-level contacts with New Zealand, our 
Government had no problem in meeting with leaders from totalitarian 
states and questionable regimes.

                              {time}  1310

  New Zealand is a friend and a democracy that shares our values, and 
has historically been a close ally of the United States for most of 
this century. Our two nations have fought at each other's side against 
aggression in virtually every major conflict in recent times.
  Moreover, New Zealand has played an active and positive role in 
supporting U.S. efforts in international economic fora, such as the 
Uruguay round of GATT and APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 
meetings.
  With New Zealand acting as President of the U.N. Security Council, 
their leadership and close cooperation with the United States, on 
matters such as U.N. peacekeeping, has been invaluable. The North 
Korean nuclear crisis has increased focus on the U.N. Security Council 
and, in part, reinforced the importance of our relations with New 
Zealand.
  When the Clinton administration announced earlier this year that 
senior-level diplomatic contacts would be resumed with New Zealand for 
discussion of political, strategic, and broad security matters, I 
strongly applauded the policy change. The removal of New Zealand's 
diplomatic handcuffs has been long overdue. We are finally starting to 
treat our longtime ally as a friend. Yes, we obviously have our 
differences on certain issues, but we should not have treated New 
Zealand in such a mean-spirited way.
  Although several Members in both Houses of Congress lobbied the 
administration to lift the unfair restrictions, I feel it was due in 
great part to the fine efforts of the Embassy of New Zealand that 
relations were normalized.
  In particular, much credit must go to the Honorable Denis McLean, 
Ambassador of New Zealand, on whose watch in Washington this momentous 
reconciliation occurred. Over the years, I have watched with admiration 
Ambassador McLean's patient and persuasive diplomacy on behalf of New 
Zealand's interests. Moreover, he has had the vision to be an 
aggressive and active advocate for the welfare of the South Pacific 
region as a whole. Both on Capitol Hill and in the administration, it 
is clear that Ambassador McLean has commanded respect.
  After 37 years in public service to New Zealand--serving first in 
Embassy posts such as Second Secretary in Washington on up to Cabinet 
appointment as Secretary of Defence--Ambassador McLean is now to retire 
after a brilliant and distinguished career. Suffice it to say that his 
country has been very well served, indeed.
  I would also like to recognize that it is due to the hard work of 
staff that political successes are made possible. Certainly, Ambassador 
McLean has been very fortunate in that regard, as the entire New 
Zealand Embassy staff has performed with distinction.
  In particular, Mr. David R. Cunliffe, Second Secretary [political], 
should be recognized for the outstanding and effective job he has done 
as the Embassy's congressional liaison officer. Mr. Cunliffe's able 
assistance was instrumental in laying the groundwork for an improved 
climate for United States-New Zealand political relations and in 
supporting United States engagement with the South Pacific. Certainly, 
it is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Cunliffe's efforts have 
contributed significantly to how Capitol Hill views New Zealand.
  In conclusion, I would salute Ambassador McLean and Second Secretary 
Cunliffe for a job well done and I wish them well in their future 
endeavors. The fruits of their labor have given rise to a new era of 
deep and enduring relations between our two great countries, New 
Zealand and the United States.

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