Clark gets the message on war words

By FRAN O'SULLIVAN assistant editor

The Prime Minister's apology to the United States for her comments on the Iraq war came after she was given the message by Washington that she had to put the US-New Zealand relationship back on track.

The US message - conveyed separately through New Zealand's Washington Ambassador, John Wood, and United States-New Zealand Council president Fred Benson - was that a two pronged strategy was necessary to repair the damage.

First, New Zealand needed to set the record straight over Helen Clark's statements.

Second, New Zealand needed to give a clear undertaking to the United States that it would assist in post-war reconstruction. Both conditions have been fulfilled - an apology was issued last week and help with clearing mines has been pledged.

The relationship between New Zealand and the US deteriorated after Helen Clark made comments last month to three news outlets implying that the Iraq war would not have taken place under an Al Gore presidency.

Tensions increased when she later said the war was not going to plan.

The comments earned Helen Clark a diplomatic rebuke from the US Embassy in Wellington which described them as "regrettable."

There was high-level concern that the tensions would damage New Zealand's push for a free trade agreement with the US.

Herald inquiries show that Helen Clark's critical comments landed in Washington at a critical time for US-New Zealand trade talks.

Soon after she made them, Senate Majority leader Bill Frist and other high level Republicans and Democrats sent a letter to President Bush asking him to start trade negotiations with New Zealand as soon as possible.

It said a free trade agreement with New Zealand was a "natural complement" to an agreement now being negotiated with Australia.

"If the agreements are comprehensive and properly structured, they would benefit the economies of all three countries," the letter said.

New Zealand lobbyists became concerned that US politicians might withdraw their support if efforts were not made to patch the relationship.

The messages suggesting how to repair the damage were crafted after discussions between the New Zealand's Washington lobbying team, senior Bush Administration officials and the US State Department.

Sources say New Zealand was urged to "get it off the front-page and close it down".

The Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall also relayed to Helen Clark the concerns of business people associated with New Zealand's lobbying effort.

Herald Feature: Iraq war