European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 20, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 16 the stars and stripes sunday october 20, 1985 disputes with France and the United slates boat new zealand s image in the world contend prime minister David Lange. New zealand relishing the limelight by Seth Mydans new York times for new zealand that Small South pacification More or less Between Australia and the South pole the sudden limelight from it diplomatic Battle with France has been dazzling. Since the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French agents three months ago. New sealanders have been astonished to find themselves in the Rote of hero As the French government concedes More and More guilt and thai is not All. A dispute Over the defense Alliance Between Australia the United states and new zealand has pitted new zealand against a second Western giant the United states by insisting on barring nuclear armed and nuclear powered warships from its ports. New zealand has pushed Washington toward revising or abandoning the treaty that has served the three partners without serious problems since 1951. The Wrangle with France and the United states have aroused feelings of both self Assurance and uneasiness in Wellington about future relations with countries seen As new zealand s protectors it s All very Well to say anti nuclear anti nuclear said Ashley Lovett an airline representative somebody s having a very Good time posturing. But we have to live in a modern world which people conveniently forget. So now we re All  France is considered a key ally in the european Community whose backing has helped ensure a Market Tor the agricultural exports on which new zealand s Economy relies. Washington s Friendship and its defense commitments have provided an essential sense of Security Tor a nation acutely aware of its isolation from its Western allies. But Lor the moment there s a Heady sense of holding the moral High ground in the two disputes both of which grow out of new zealand s opposition to nuclear arms. Prime minister David Lange. Taking a hard line in both cases appears so far to have been getting the Best of things. The garrulous prime minister seems to be enjoying himself As much As he did in March at a debate Over nuclear arms at Oxford University. The audience at the forum agreed that Lange had trounced Jerry Falwell. Leader of the Christian evangelical lobbying group known As moral majority. It boosts new zealand s profile in the world although the Point of that is somewhat moot Lange said of new zealand s newfound International prominence. We would also have a higher profile if we had a calf with eight  in a recent interview he conceded that two simultaneous International crises were stretching the resources of his government. He illustrated his reaction to the situation by seizing a handful of his grading hair and tearing at it. Government officials assigned to everything Iron educational Reform to Antarctic affairs have been put to work on Greenpeace and on anus. As the defense Alliance is known. I m sure Al my government ministers would be worn out husks after two years on the Job if we were running at the Pace we have been running Lange said. Critics led by the opposition National party Leader Jim Mclay have accused Lange of having too Good a time and even of acting like a Clown. They say he is nol sufficiently concerned about the dangers of alienating the country s allies. When the two drama have played themselves out. Some commentators suggest that new zealand May find it has entered a new Era of self sufficiency beyond its current Reliance on the United states. Ii already has distanced itself from its colonial Parent. Britain. For now. New zealand s attention remains fixed on the events of the Day. Which one Security guard described As Greenpeace anus  newspapers Chart the Progress of a flotilla of Small Greenpeace vessels thai have started to arrive at the site of a scheduled French nuclear test on the South Pacific atoll of Auroroa. The Rainbow Warrior was to have led the flotilla. An Auckland court is scheduled to begin a preliminary hearing in november on charges of murder and arson against to French agents who were arrested a few Days after the Rainbow Warrior was sunk on july 10. The ship was sunk with two bomb blasts killing a photographer who was aboard. One of the defendants Cape. Dominique Prieur. Was recently removed from a jail to a heavily guarded military prison. Hundreds of Yards of barbed wire were coiled around the site and soldiers took up positions along its perimeter. Police have received Many reports about suspicious frenchmen lurking in the Vicinity. The owners of a Delicatessen for example. Wilhelm and Judith Hiener. Reported that three frenchmen in leather jackets had come in to buy food. They All seemed Lough the sort of people who stay fit Hiener was said to have told the police. Furthermore. She said they All bought expensive food and  out 3 a