be disruptive’

Soviet objectives ‘to be disruptive’

The Soviet presence in the Pacific has no relation to economic factors, since there is no Soviet consumer demand for tuna, according to a spokesman for US Secretary of State George Shultz.

Interviewd on Palau, where Shultz made a lightning visit, the official, who asked not to be named, said: “The Soviet long term objectives in the Pacific are to be disruptive and stimulate subversion.”

He added that Libya’s overtures to Vanuatu and their contacts with the New Caledonia independence movement “are not inconsistent with past Libyan activities.

Any Libyan interests here are artificial and complications.”

“The US,” he said, “will legitimately use UN procedures and tactics” to overcome any Soviet Security Council veto on the ending of the trusteeship in Micronesia.

The US would react appropriately if “the Soviets display total disdain for the wishes of the Micronesian people.”

When ex-marine George Shultz returned to Palau after hitting the beaches at Peleliu 42 years ago, he was met at the airport with a sign and billboard blitz.

The US Secretary of State’s visit had a political as well as personal significance.

His visit reflected the strategic import ance to the US of the Compact of Free Association which is proposed to replace the 39-year-old trusteeship that would grant Palau home rule, substantial US economic aid with US responsibility for the

archipelago’s defence.

Since the Republic of Palau constitution made the country the first national nuclear free zone, it has clashed with the military requirements of the Pentagon, and Com pact passage has been a tortuous and controversial process.

The airport placards included: “Palau communists go back to Moscow” as well as “Pacific democracy is American democra cy” and, remarkably enough, “Down with Greenpeace.”

However, another banner, unfurled as Shultz disembarked, read: “US interest in Palau only three and a half hours? We demand more money and education. Palau can’t wait another 40 years.”

However, Mother Nature denied the visiting VIP a sight of the various demos, tipping a huge rainstorm over the proceed ings within seconds of the arrival.

In later speeches both Shultz the Palau president Lazarus Salii, the architect of the Compact of Free Association, both extolled the compact’s virtues.

At the same venue, however, paramount chief Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons told a press conference the airport signs had been “taking advantage of the secretary’s trip to play dirty politics.” The chief has com menced court action over plans to approve the Compact on the grounds that it did not achieve the required 75 per cent voter approval. (It managed 72 per cent in the February plebiscite). E. Rampell.