Britain answers call to help in Pacific

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has softened a call for countries like Britain to pull more weight in the Pacific, saying he believed they would help if asked.

Last month Mr Peters called for greater international respect for the work New Zealand did in the Pacific, particularly from the United States.

He noted New Zealand had picked up some of the former British Empire's responsibilities when its curtain went down.

Asked if what he was saying was that bigger countries should pull more weight, he said "yes, it is".

In yesterday's speech he noted it was "pleasing" that US Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, during a recent visit, had spoken of the US appreciation of "what we were doing in the Pacific" and of the further work the two countries could do together in the area.

He also noted the "welcome announcement" from the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that Britain would contribute to the Tokelau International Trust Fund.

Asked if he thought Helen Clark would discuss the Pacific issue with Tony Blair, he said it was unlikely as most of Britain's Pacific funding was channelled through the European Union - and discussions were on-going with that body.

He said he hadn't earlier called for the British to pull more weight.

"I said the British in exiting in the Pacific have left us with some significant responsibilities which we've taken up. We just need help."

He had asked Mr Straw for help with Tokelau "and the response has been much more than we hoped for.

"He has replied now twice, first saying he would and now saying 'I've found some more money so here's some more'.

"I'm not toning my response down at all. I'm just saying that there are still lingering responsibilities which I'm sure, as were brought to Jack Straw's attention on Tokelau, that they are willing to fulfil, they just need to be brought to their attention."