Key: NZ-US far from closeness of past

Prime Minister John Key / NZH

New Zealand and the United States have a deep, long-standing relationship but remain a long way from where they were 20 years ago, Prime Minister John Key says.

His comments preceded a visit this week from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during which she is expected to make a significant announcement.

Mr Key today said he had no idea what that announcement would be but he was sure Mrs Clinton would not ask New Zealand to keep its Special Air Service (SAS) troops in Afghanistan beyond next March, as that was a decision we had to make.

"They've never previously asked us to deploy the SAS. They've always been very pleased that they're there because they recognise their strength," he said.

The Government initially said the SAS would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by March but was now considering whether to leave a smaller contingent there, working with the local crisis response unit.

A decision would be made around Christmas, Mr Key said.

A key consideration was having the SAS in New Zealand for next year's Rugby World Cup -- "not because we anticipate deploying them, but we just need them here".

Green MP Keith Locke said Mr Key must stick to his timetable and withdraw the SAS in March.

"Hillary Clinton might be pleased if we extend the mission but John Key should pay more attention to the growing body of New Zealanders who think our special forces shouldn't be in Afghanistan," he said.

"The longer our SAS is in Afghanistan, the more New Zealand's good name will be muddied by association with a corrupt Afghan government which has little respect for human rights."

Meanwhile, Mr Key described the US and New Zealand as being "very, very, very good friends" and said he would "definitely'' talk to Mrs Clinton about a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

That could take the form of a bi or multi-lateral relationship.

"We'd take either, but the fastest route through seems to be through the multi-lateral route and trans-Pacific partnership," Mr Key said.

"The relationship has been going from strength to strength and the seniority of Secretary Clinton speaks volumes about our relationship. The fact is she's coming to New Zealand and it'll be a wide-ranging discussion.

"I'm not expecting major announcements during her visit but I think we can take the fact that she's coming as a great sign that the relationship is going from strength to strength."

- NZPA