

Currently released so far... 12689 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AEMR
AMGT
AE
AU
AID
AORC
APER
AS
AM
AFIN
AMED
AJ
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
ABLD
AL
AA
APECO
AGAO
AY
AGMT
APEC
AINF
AG
ACS
AECL
AFFAIRS
ABUD
ASUP
ADANA
AADP
AMCHAMS
ARF
ASEAN
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
APCS
ADCO
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ADM
AN
AIT
BU
BR
BL
BO
BA
BB
BG
BM
BBSR
BH
BEXP
BK
BD
BTIO
BT
BE
BY
BF
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BILAT
BIDEN
BC
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CH
CG
CF
CU
CE
CVIS
CASC
CO
CS
CA
CIDA
CBW
CW
CMGT
CI
CODEL
CY
CPAS
CJAN
CD
CWC
CDG
CIA
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CT
CR
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CFED
CV
CACS
CARSON
CLINTON
CN
CONS
CM
CAC
CIC
COPUOS
CDC
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EG
EZ
EUN
ECON
ETRD
ECPS
EFIN
ENRG
ETTC
EPET
EINV
EAID
EAIR
EWWT
EU
EAGR
EC
ELAB
EIND
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
EFIS
ELTN
ET
ECIN
EFTA
ES
EINT
EI
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
ELN
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
EXIM
ETRO
ENIV
ESA
ER
EK
EUR
EFINECONCS
EUMEM
EUREM
EPA
ERNG
ENERG
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
IS
IZ
IR
IC
IO
IN
ID
IGAD
IT
ILC
IAEA
ITU
ICAO
IMO
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
IAHRC
ITF
INRA
INRO
IWC
IQ
IV
ICRC
ICTY
INRB
IEFIN
ILO
ITRA
ITALY
IBET
ISRAELI
IL
INTELSAT
IRC
IDP
ICTR
IRAQI
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
IA
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
INDO
IDA
ISLAMISTS
KSPR
KNNP
KWBG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KN
KS
KIPR
KCRM
KDEM
KIRF
KJUS
KHLS
KSCA
KOMC
KAWC
KV
KFRD
KWMN
KTIP
KPWR
KSUM
KGHG
KTIA
KTFN
KIRC
KCOR
KACT
KMDR
KGIC
KOLY
KUNR
KIDE
KMPI
KPKO
KCFE
KVPR
KRAD
KPAL
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTEX
KTDB
KFSC
KZ
KSEP
KFLU
KE
KU
KPLS
KRVC
KRIM
KSTH
KG
KFLO
KPOA
KICC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KBCT
KSAF
KMOC
KDRG
KBIO
KREC
KSTC
KVRP
KBTR
KMIG
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KWAC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KWMM
KPRP
KNEI
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KX
KMCA
KCRS
KMFO
KID
KCIP
KNAR
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KHDP
KFIN
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KHIV
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KTER
KRCM
KCFC
KSAC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KCOM
KLIG
KDEMAF
KAID
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KOMS
KHSA
MPOS
MOPS
MARR
MTCR
MNUC
MASS
MX
MCAP
MAR
MTRE
MASC
MK
MG
MTCRE
MI
MD
MA
MO
MY
MU
ML
MRCRE
MAS
MEDIA
MC
MR
MIL
MW
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MT
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MEPP
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
NATO
NG
NL
NZ
NT
NW
NO
NU
NS
NPT
NASA
NI
NK
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NP
NATIONAL
NSSP
NSF
NA
NGO
NV
NR
NDP
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NEW
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NPG
NSC
NPA
NSFO
OPDC
OPRC
OEXC
OTRA
ODIP
OIIP
OVIP
OPIC
OPCW
OAS
OREP
OSCE
OSCI
OES
OFDP
OECD
OCS
OIC
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OFFICIALS
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OBSP
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PTER
PHUM
PK
PREF
PM
PHSA
PA
PINS
PE
PBTS
PCI
PO
PL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PGIV
PROP
PP
PBIO
POL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PBT
PMIL
POV
PTBS
PG
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PROV
PNAT
PINF
PRL
PAS
PDOV
PRAM
PREO
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PAO
PREFA
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PGOC
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RW
REACTION
RCMP
RSO
RO
RP
ROOD
RM
ROBERT
RICE
REGION
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
RFE
REPORT
SY
SP
SOCI
SMIG
SNAR
SCUL
SC
SU
SO
SI
SENV
SZ
SW
SA
SR
SF
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SEN
SG
SYR
SWE
SK
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SCRS
SYRIA
SL
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SHI
SHUM
SIPRS
TSPA
TSPL
TU
TBIO
TRGY
TPHY
TS
TP
TW
TBID
TI
TF
TZ
TD
TT
TN
TNGD
TC
TX
TH
TL
TIP
THPY
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TINT
TFIN
TAGS
TR
US
UNSC
UNGA
UK
UP
UNCHC
UN
UNMIK
UNCSD
UY
USTR
USOAS
UNHRC
UNFCYP
UG
UNAUS
UNESCO
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
USUN
UZ
USNC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNEP
USEU
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNDP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
UNDC
UNICEF
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05WELLINGTON794, IN DC VISIT, NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL TO SEEK USG
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05WELLINGTON794.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05WELLINGTON794 | 2005-10-13 05:08 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Wellington |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
130508Z Oct 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 WELLINGTON 000794
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D (FRITZ), EAP/ANP, EAP/EP, EAP/RSP, INR/EAP
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR-LCOEN
NSC FOR VICTOR CHA AND MICHAEL GREEN
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA/LIZ PHU
PACON FOR J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV NZ
SUBJECT: IN DC VISIT, NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL TO SEEK USG
VIEWS ON BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP, NUCLEAR ISSUE AND FTA
REF: A. WELLINGTON 635
¶B. WELLINGTON 452
Classified by Charge d'Affaires David R. Burnett. Reasons:
1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) Summary: New Zealand Deputy Secretary for Asia and
Americas John McKinnon will visit Washington from October 17
to 20. He will seek U.S. views on evolving regional security
architecture and the potential for improving the U.S.-New
Zealand relationship. McKinnon will acknowledge that all
issues should be on the table in discussions of the
relationship and, while there is no immediate prospect for
New Zealand's repeal of its anti-nuclear legislation, he will
want to hear why the legislation is still significant to the
U.S. government. McKinnon also will seek a frank assessment
of New Zealand's chances for free-trade negotiations with the
United States. New Zealand remains concerned with its public
face if it were to enter dialogue with the United States
without knowing if a free-trade deal were a possible outcome.
End summary.
¶2. (C) In a meeting October 12 with the Charge, Simon
Murdoch, chief executive of the New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), said that although the new
government had not yet been formed, he knew that Phil Goff
would remain as foreign minister. Moreover, Murdoch knew the
government-in-waiting wanted to be seen as responding
constructively to Ambassador Swindells' suggestion for an
enhanced dialogue on the bilateral relationship, which he
made both to the Prime Minister and in his July 4 speech (ref
B). John McKinnon's visit to Washington is seen by the
ministry as part of that constructive response. (Note: The
Labour Party is negotiating with minor parties to form a
government after winning the most votes in the September 17
elections. End note.)
¶3. (C) As his visit's main goal, McKinnon -- the ministry's
senior official responsible for the U.S.-New Zealand
relationship -- will explore whether a durable process can be
set up for discussing the bilateral relationship and what
each partner can do to add value to that relationship,
Murdoch said. He added that New Zealand wants a constructive
relationship. While anti-American rhetoric from some Labour
candidates during the election campaign might have suggested
otherwise, New Zealand wants to think of itself as a friend
to the United States.
¶4. (C) Murdoch understood that U.S. officials in Washington
viewed the New Zealand government as making a serious effort
in pursuing possible dialogue and were prepared to receive
McKinnon on that basis. "We've gone down this track as
realists, but what's significant is that we wish to get
things on a different footing," Murdoch said. Whereas State
officials had told New Zealand officials that McKinnon should
not come to Washington unless he had something to say,
Murdoch remarked, "We'll come with what we can say. It's not
for us to determine whether we have enough." The Charge
noted that Washington officials have a lot on their plates.
He underscored the importance of McKinnon either making clear
what New Zealand can do for an enhanced relationship or, at a
minimum, coming away from the visit with recommendations to
the new Cabinet on what it will take to keep Washington's
attention.
¶5. (C) Acknowledging that the United States would want to
include New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy in bilateral
discussions, Murdoch said all issues would have to be on the
table. McKinnon will ask USG officials why New Zealand's
anti-nuclear policy remains a matter of importance and
concern to the United States. McKinnon hopes to bring back
an explanation that will register with his government's
leaders, Murdoch said.
¶6. (C) However, Murdoch noted that repeal of the anti-nuclear
legislation would not occur under the incoming government.
While such action might have been possible before the
September 17 elections, the campaign "sharpened" the issue
and made a change unlikely, Murdoch said. He expects that
when the government returns to business and he asks Goff
which issues he considers to be mandated by his
constituencies, the preservation of New Zealand's
anti-nuclear policy will be among them. The Charge said he
hoped this would not preclude the government from thinking
about what it could do, if anything, short of repeal to meet
U.S. concerns.
¶7. (C) Murdoch said that, in any dialogue, New Zealand will
want to discuss our countries' common interests, particularly
in the Pacific region with the security architecture
changing. New Zealand is looking out for its own interests
in trying to demonstrate its value as a contributor to the
region's security and development, since it would be easy for
larger powers to marginalize the small country. The Charge
responded that it would be helpful for McKinnon to spell out
that motivation -- that New Zealand is acting out of its
interests rather than out of ideology -- during his visit.
If he also could be specific about concrete measures that New
Zealand might take in response to changes in regional
security arrangements, the Charge said that, too, would be of
interest.
¶8. (C) McKinnon will draw attention to New Zealand's
contributions outside the region, including in Afghanistan.
Murdoch said he will make the point that "somehow, our
politicians have the sense that it doesn't seem to matter
what we do, to (receive) constructive signals that we are
valued." The Charge said that U.S. officials feel compelled
to thank New Zealand officials for their country's
contributions in Afghanistan at every meeting because there
was so little else to discuss.
¶9. (C) Murdoch asked the Charge what other issues should be
raised by McKinnon. The Charge suggested that, while it was
clear that New Zealanders desire to have some distance from
the U.S. government, each government needed to think about
how much distance is necessary or useful, and why. Murdoch
remarked that New Zealand is a relatively new country still
defining itself in relation to the world. He pointed out
that New Zealand and the United States collaborate closely in
the sharing of intelligence and that they could build on that
cooperation. The Charge warned that while such cooperation
had grown rapidly, it would likely run up against limits
imposed by the nuclear issue sooner or later.
¶10. (C) Finally, Murdoch said another objective of McKinnon's
visit was to ascertain New Zealand's ability to obtain
free-trade negotiations with the United States. The New
Zealand government wants to know whether it is a serious
prospect for a free-trade agreement and would not want
McKinnon returning home without its status clarified. "We
can take a candid comment on that," Murdoch said.
¶11. (C) New Zealand continues to believe what it was told by
the Deputy Secretary when he was the U.S. Trade
Representative: While the United States cannot commit to
free-trade negotiations at this time, they have not been
ruled out. Murdoch said New Zealand is also mindful of the
USTR's recent announcement on four other countries being
priorities for free-trade deals and of the closing window
before trade promotion authority expires. New Zealand simply
wants to know if it will be onboard the next sailing. The
Charge responded that it would be worthwhile to seek a clear
answer, but cautioned that the USG might not be eager to
close the door, even if New Zealand preferred a closed door
to the current uncertainty. He also urged New Zealand to
consider whether some of its concerns might be better handled
through bilateral investment discussions, especially if New
Zealand were not in the queue for free-trade talks.
¶12. (C) Murdoch noted that his government needed to figure
out how it would publicly manage the relationship if New
Zealand proceeded with dialogue with the United States
without the prospect of an FTA. In the meantime, he
suggested that McKinnon's discussions be conducted under
media and diplomatic radar. His government will describe
McKinnon's visit as taking advantage of an opportune time to
exchange views before the Pacific Islands Forum and the APEC
summit. (Note: The Assistant Secretary and Prime Minister
Clark are not scheduled to be at the Forum at the same time
and are unlikely to be able to meet. The New Zealand
government hopes the Secretary and PM Clark might meet during
the APEC meetings. We did not encourage that hope. End
note.)
¶13. (C) Comment: John McKinnon is a smart, reasoned and
pragmatic diplomat. His visit is an opportunity to provide
New Zealand with a frank assessment of U.S. views on the
bilateral relationship, the possibility of dialogue, New
Zealand's nuclear policy and its chances for a free-trade
agreement. The New Zealand government at times has had
unrealistic expectations of the United States, which have
contributed to the strain on our relationship. McKinnon's
visit presents a chance to quell those expectations and tell
it like it is.
Burnett