Jim Bolger has given fresh impetus to the nuclear debate the National Party would prefer to hose down by calling for New Zealand and the United States to tackle the disagreement.
Mr Bolger, a former Ambassador to Washington and National Prime Minister, said he did not want to enter the election
fray. However, his political and diplomatic credentials meant his decision to raise the nuclear impasse at a pro-US business conference in Auckland yesterday would provoke debate.
He said the 20-year nuclear row had affected the relationship and the likelihood of New Zealand's getting a free-trade agreement with the US.
"Official US policy from the beginning has been to separate trade and security matters.
"I applaud that, but some public comment and private discussions suggest the separation is not complete."
He said later: "Everybody knows it sits there, everybody wonders why New Zealand is not getting on to the list to negotiate a free-trade agreement when countries like Morocco do."
It was unwise for two "friends" to have allowed an issue to become too sensitive to talk about or resolve. "In today's world, which is quite dangerous, friends need to work together. Somebody has to talk about it."
Outgoing US Ambassador Charles Swindells called last month for a "comprehensive dialogue" to try to work through the dispute.
Despite National's best efforts to turn down the heat on its nuclear policy before the election, Labour has targeted it as a weakness and Mr Bolger's foray will not help.
National Party leader Don Brash said through a spokesman last night that he would not be commenting.
The spokesman repeated party policy, which was to not change the law banning nuclear-powered ship visits without a public mandate, and no referendum was planned.
The conference was attended by senior politicians from both Labour and National, US charge d'affaires David Burnett, political scientists and business leaders.
Mr Burnett restated the US position on free-trade agreements, saying they were determined by economic benefits and not other issues.
