Bush's man delighted to be here, big-time

New US ambassador Charles J. Swindells tells AUDREY YOUNG he's eager to listen to New Zealanders and to support the All Blacks.

Charles J. Swindells breezes into the west wing of his Lower Hutt residence where he is holding his first press conference as United States ambassador.

"That's a great shirt," he says, his first words directed to a photographer in a frightful floral shirt, "and you can quote me on that."

It has the ring of someone determined to be a pleasing diplomat, and someone still rehearsing the new language of his new job.

Charles J. Swindells (pronounced Swindells) is known as Butch to his friends.

While his parents dilly-dallied over what to call him when he was born, a nun at the hospital nicknamed him "Butch" because he was apparently a big bruiser of a baby.

He is now tall, slim, a marathon runner and in the picture of health at age 59.

Swindells became a highly successful and wealthy Portland businessman in the investment and financial services industry, resigning his vice-chairmanship this year of the United States Trust Company which administers assets of more than $US400 million ($961.5 million).

In his twilight years, he is changing careers to present the public face of America at a time when the public relations of his country has never mattered more.

Swindells got the job, like most United States postings to New Zealand, because he found favour with the President, George W. Bush.

There are some similarities between them. Both have the habit of dropping the start of sentences.

"First time I met the President was March 1999. A few of us were flown down to Austin, Texas. It was about 10 of us. He expressed an interest in running for the presidency ... "

Both like to talk in rhythmic lists.

"Believe me, we connected at that first meeting. I liked him instantly. He's to the point. He's direct. He's committed. He makes you feel very much at ease. We're the same age, same generation, got fresh ideas. Likes to get it done. My kind of guy."

Clearly liked him so much he raised funds big-time and dipped into his own pocket big-time for the Bush bid. Can't recall the amount, though.

As co-chairman of Bush's Oregon campaign finance committee, Swindells raised $US377,000 in one night at a $US1000-a-head cocktail party, according to the Oregonian newspaper.

It also says he gave $US43,000 last year to Republican candidates and causes.

"That would be accurate," he said. There are strict disclosure laws. He also makes the point that he has been a major contributor over many years to philanthropic causes, including higher education, medical research and museums.

Then he is asked a blunt question. "What do you say to people who say people like you buy diplomatic posts?"

He is clearly irritated with the line of questioning, even offended, but answers politely.

"I think that is incorrect. You can't buy a diplomatic appointment. The dollars here to run a presidential campaign are so huge that most of the money is raised through the political parties. The actual dollars raised by individuals have tremendous limits on it.

"The real issue here is that I got to know the President. We got to work together and he got to know a bit about me and what I'm all about and that's the reason that I was appointed to the position, not for its specific dollars raised or contributed."

He prefers talking about New Zealand, oo-ing, aahing and schmoozing about the place, even before he has stepped out of Wellington.

"You're a dynamic country, much like Oregon. We live in the shadow of California so we like to think we're a little quicker, a little smarter, more entrepreneurial, more pioneer spirit and I kinda feel like that about New Zealand.

"I really want to see every inch of this country and realistically get into every community and to listen to what people have to say, how they feel about the United States of America, and have dialogue - and come back."

He likes Prime Minister Helen Clark, too. "She's bright. I enjoyed our conversation."

He's keen to start backing the All Blacks.

And he praises New Zealand's "wonderful" efforts in peacekeeping.

He even gives endorsement to New Zealand as a long-term investment prospect.

"Investing to be successful has to be long-term and I think the future of this economy is very bright. So if you're long-term, absolutely.

But the ambassador's exuberance wanes on the subject of a free trade deal with the US, which New Zealand and Australia are separately seeking.

It's not that Swindells doesn't think it's a good idea. He does. And he thinks it is quite natural that New Zealand's new ambassador to the US, John Wood, has stated it as his goal.

But he is careful not to raise any expectations. Instead he talks about achieving it through existing means. "I think there is tremendous potential in the structure we have already. Apec. WTO. Launching new rounds of trade negotiations.

"We're on track with a number of ways in which we can get the same objective."

Many United States ambassadors have made a lasting impression on New Zealand: the names John Henning, Anne Martindell, H. Munroe Browne, Paul Cleveland, Della Newman, Josiah Beeman are more familiar than those of just about any Australian or British diplomat.

They have become all the more important since New Zealand turned delinquent on the US in 1985 and banned its nuclear-powered and armed ships, rendering the Anzus security pact dormant.

New Zealand was demoted in status from an ally - as Australia still is - to a mere "friend." It was shut out of military exercises and intelligence-sharing was down-graded.

Swindells' predecessor, former black senator Carol Moseley Braun, earned a reputation for having done more to restore personal relations than anyone through her charming and warm personality.

Ambassadorial utterances are carefully scrutinised for formal signs of a thaw towards New Zealand.

So it was only natural to test the new ambassador to see if he had arrived with a fresh armoury of vocabulary. Are we seen as allies or friends? he was asked.

"Oh, definitely as friends," he responded, almost as though not appreciating the difference. "Friends. Good friends. Strong friends."

"It's historically a close, wonderful friendship."

Swindells speaks glowingly of the relationship without the Anzus treaty.

"I believe the treaty isn't an absolute platform to spring from, to move forward as we are now. I think that we have in place the right structure, the commitment. It's necessary. It's gonna work. It's gonna be longer term and I just think proceeding as we are is going to work."

He says the world has come close together since the "events of September 11" as they have euphemistically become known.

"That's the silver lining."

He rejected the notion that New Zealand had not responded quickly enough to pitch in after the terrorist attack on America.

"I believe you have. What's more important to me and to the President is that you have come forward to offer assistance militarily, in the area of humanitarian needs, diplomacy, intelligence. We are very satisfied with the package where it stands. We're grateful."

He does not concur with the view that New Zealand exists in a benign strategic environment - the justification given by Helen Clark to get rid of the Air Force's combat arm.

"I think every country has adversaries ... it's everybody's concern. Nobody can be complacent."

And his qualifications for the job? Character, reputation, ethics, accomplishments in business and the community.

Diplomacy?

"I'm learning that quickly."