New Zealand invite to US Navy marks end to nuclear stalemate

[webfact]

New Zealand invite to US Navy marks end to nuclear stalemate

SYDNEY (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. had accepted an invitation to send a Navy ship to New Zealand for the first time in three decades, signaling an end to a stalemate between the two countries that was sparked by New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announced during a joint news conference with Biden in Auckland that New Zealand had invited the U.S. to send a ship to participate in the Royal New Zealand Navy's 75th anniversary later this year. Biden, who is visiting New Zealand as part of a tour of the Pacific, said he had gladly accepted the offer.

"It will be yet another expression, another expression of our close and cooperative relationship between both of our countries that we've worked together so hard to strengthen," Biden said.

No U.S. warships have been allowed to visit the country since the 1980s, when New Zealand introduced its nuclear-free policy. Because the U.S. won't officially confirm or deny if its ships have nuclear capabilities, New Zealand's default position has long been to ban them from its waters. But as military relations have improved between the two countries in recent years, speculation had grown that New Zealand would allow the U.S. to participate in its anniversary celebration.

"It would be very odd for us to have all of our friends and acquaintances there, sending ships to celebrate our 75th Naval commemorations, and yet on the same point not have the United States there," Key told reporters.

Key still needs to formally sign off on the ship visit. The prime minister said he did not yet know what type of vessel the U.S. was planning to send, but said it would still need to comply with New Zealand law, which requires that he be satisfied that any ship entering the country's waters has no nuclear capabilities.

"We've found a way of respecting one another but agreeing that we've got a different position on these matters," Key said.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-21

[Prbkk]

This is just as much about getting Helen Clarke , former NZ PM, the top job at the UN. There were concerns that her bid might be vetoed by the US over the nuclear ships issue. Who said corruption isn't alive and well in the West?

[Boon Mee]

^

Well, the Kiwis still aren't letting nuke ships or boats in NZ waters so what's the point?

[OccamsRazor]

They can always send this.

[Boon Mee]

They can always send this.

Capture.JPG

It never made it out of Boston Harbor!

[Roadman]

They can always send this.

Capture.JPG

The USS Constitution might work for us as then our two waka's might be able to keep up with it.

[Junkyarddog]

Also factored into the Kiwi decision is that the Chinese Navy is visible from the beach.

[Katipo]

This is just as much about getting Helen Clarke , former NZ PM, the top job at the UN. There were concerns that her bid might be vetoed by the US over the nuclear ships issue. Who said corruption isn't alive and well in the West?

You may very well be right. But how would that be corruption? Especially since NZ has to be satisfied it is not a nuclear vessel.

[Publicus]

They can always send this.

Capture.JPG

It never made it out of Boston Harbor!

Never intended to exit the harbor after 116 years docked for tourists or among the things locals can do on a Sunday. It's an interesting visit so you might try it sometime (even if you get seasick easily).

CCP Dictators in Beijing are moving in on the South China Sea and CCP consider their "neighbours" Australia and New Zealand their natural subjects and servants. CCP is ticked neither has fallen in to line yet, so ya'll down there must be getting tired of those CCP scoldings for being holdout delinquents against the inevitable.

PM Key has been much stronger against CCP than PM Turnbull has been (Oz Labour party in government would stand up to Beijing).

It is the new reality of the region. Everyone has finally given up on the disappointing search for the ever-elusive peaceful rising China.

(Btw does anyone seriously believe Helen Clark could run the UN?)

[williamgeorgeallen]

^

Well, the Kiwis still aren't letting nuke ships or boats in NZ waters so what's the point?

great public relations. being seen as clean green is a big deal for our tourism industry and primary produce exports. we still gotta be buddy buddy with you big boys however.

[neverdie]

They can always send this.

Capture.JPG

The USS Constitution might work for us as then our two waka's might be able to keep up with it.

The kiwis are the worlds next super power, why they bother with the 'little' Americans is beyond me

[NumbNut]

They can always send this.

Capture.JPG

It never made it out of Boston Harbor!

Never intended to exit the harbor after 116 years docked for tourists or among the things locals can do on a Sunday. It's an interesting visit so you might try it sometime (even if you get seasick easily).

CCP Dictators in Beijing are moving in on the South China Sea and CCP consider their "neighbours" Australia and New Zealand their natural subjects and servants. CCP is ticked neither has fallen in to line yet, so ya'll down there must be getting tired of those CCP scoldings for being holdout delinquents against the inevitable.

PM Key has been much stronger against CCP than PM Turnbull has been (Oz Labour party in government would stand up to Beijing).

It is the new reality of the region. Everyone has finally given up on the disappointing search for the ever-elusive peaceful rising China.

(Btw does anyone seriously believe Helen Clark could run the UN?)

Hmmm, tough one... but I reckon Helen Clark would certainly do a better job then Kevin Rudd.

And kudos to the Kiwi's for standing by their principles, well done!

Edited July 22, 2016 by NumbNut

[natway09]

Helen Clarks bid to head the UN is an almost impossible one as the lobbying in other directions is far too strong,

along with her upright attitude that will not bend in the wind.

And good on her for that

[Junkyarddog]

I agree with Neverdie. The kiwis are the next super power and should not bother with China or America.

DRINKS AND FRESH HORSES FOR EVERYBODY.

[Dexlowe]

I agree with Neverdie. The kiwis are the next super power and should not bother with China or America.

DRINKS AND FRESH HORSES FOR EVERYBODY.

What bothers me is that many of us still call kiwi fruit by the name we grew up with - chinese gooseberries. It rankled with Beijing for years and after the US navy ban, NZ changed the name to Kiwi fruit, which rankled even more. But rugby saved us. I'll tell that story another day. Needless to say, NZ is the only country China is afraid of, or we'd eating chinese gooseberries, not Kiwi fruit.

[NumbNut]

I agree with Neverdie. The kiwis are the next super power and should not bother with China or America.

DRINKS AND FRESH HORSES FOR EVERYBODY.

What bothers me is that many of us still call kiwi fruit by the name we grew up with - chinese gooseberries. It rankled with Beijing for years and after the US navy ban, NZ changed the name to Kiwi fruit, which rankled even more. But rugby saved us. I'll tell that story another day. Needless to say, NZ is the only country China is afraid of, or we'd eating chinese gooseberries, not Kiwi fruit.

Yeah, and they don't even play Rugby eh