From Russia With Love

King Taufa’ahau Tupou, of Tonga, has confirmed that Russia had offered to build an international airport and other facilities in Tonga.

Preliminary discussions with the Soviet Ambassador to Tonga, Mr Oleg Selyaninov, who is stationed in Wellington (NZ), will be followed by a visit by a counsellor in the Soviet Embassy, Wellington. The king said he expected final negotiations would be beneficial to both sides.

The initial Tonga-Soviet talks caused consternation in several parts of the western world. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, was outspoken in caustic comment.

Before Mr Selyaninov’s visit to Tonga, Crown Prince Tupouto'a took part in discussions with the Russians in London while he was acting High Commissioner. In Sydney, on the way home, he said it was a very delicate matter.

“All I would like to say is that the general feeling in our ministry is that Tonga has many friends, and all we ask of them is that they don’t choose our enemies for us,” he said.

He said Tonga was not looking for handouts and did not intend to yield up any of its independence. But more technical assistance was need ed. It was essential that the airport near Nukualofa be upgraded to inter national standard.