GNZ THINKING ON ANTARCTIC COMMEMORATIONS, LOGISTICS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000736 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR D (FRITZ),EAP/FO, OES/OA, AND EAP/ANP NSC FOR VICTOR CHA SECDEF FOR OSD/ISD JESSICA POWERS PACOM FOR J01E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV OTRA NZ US SUBJECT: GNZ THINKING ON ANTARCTIC COMMEMORATIONS, LOGISTICS REF: Wellington 732 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) GNZ officials welcome USG participation in and support for January events hosted by PM Clark to commemorate the International Polar year and the 50th anniversary of US-NZ cooperation in Antarctica. New Zealand may also host events in-country for official USG visitors, including those unable to travel to the ice. GNZ is eager to ensure it supports US logistical planning for Antarctica, and plans to send a team to Washington October 11-12 to discuss requirements for the next 10-15 years. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On September 14, David Keegan, DCM Embassy Wellington, and EAP/ANP Econoff Alisa Wong, met with Trevor Hughes, Head of the Antarctic Policy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and other NZ officials to discuss plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of NZ-US cooperation in Antarctica. (A complete list of NZ participants is at para 8. EAP/ANP Director Steven McGann was originally supposed to lead the U.S. side but unexpectedly had to leave Wellington before the meeting.) -------------- 50th Anniversary Commemorations -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Hughes confirmed that PM Clark would visit Scott Base, McMurdo Sound from January 19-23, arriving on a USAF C-17 and leaving via a RNZAF C-130. Sir Edmund Hillary (who will travel to Antarctica on January 17) will join the PM at Scott on January 20 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the base as well as 50 years of US-NZ cooperation on the ice. Hughes said GNZ is delighted that Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, OES Assistant Secretary Claudia McMurray, and National Science Foundation Director Dr. Arden Bement may also participate in the commemorations. GNZ plans for the event to center around raising the flag at Scott, as the top of the flag pole was originally Captain Scott's. PM Clark will deliver a speech, and the lead U.S. representative will be invited to do the same. The event will be followed by a luncheon open to all US and NZ attendees. PM Clark will then open a new facility at Scott, and there will be a formal dinner with McMurdo Base that night. ¶4. (SBU) The PM has four goals for the commemorations, said Hughes: -- To celebrate 50 years of U.S.-NZ cooperation on the ice its contributions to bilateral relations; -- To recognize the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund's opening of Scott Base; -- To emphasize the role of New Zealand and the United States in preserving the historic Antarctic huts; and -- To launch New Zealand's International Polar Year (IPY) programs, including by acknowledging New Zealand's 25% share in the Anhill ice drilling project, results of which will be reported during the IPY. ¶5. (SBU) Hughes said other plans include having Sir Edmund travel down to the ice via a USAF C-17 on September 17, before PM Clark arrives. The PM will take a helicopter tour of Antarctica on September 19. MFAT America's Desk Deputy Gabrielle Rush said her division is putting together a book of reminiscences by notable Americans and New Zealanders who have worked in different capacities in Antarctica, including scientists and those who dealt with the Air NZ plane crash on Mt. Erebus and mid-winter rescues. Regarding plans within New Zealand, Antarctic NZ Chief Lou Sanson said there will be a function aboard the HMSNZ Endeavor in Christchurch to acknowledge US-NZ cooperation on the ice, as well as exhibits in various armed forces museums. -------------- VISITORS TO NEW ZEALAND -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Hughes said the PM may also host New Zealand-based events for visiting dignitaries, especially as GNZ is conscious that some WELLINGTON 00000736 002 OF 002 visitors will be unable to go down to the ice. GNZ has already approved Guest of Government status for NSF Director Bement, which typically means GNZ will expedite his immigration processing, handle his intra-New Zealand transport, and host a Ministerial event in his honor. GNZ may also offer other USG delegates Guest of Government visits, which because of the difficulties of getting people on and off the ice NZ officials prefer would precede the Scott Base commemorations. -------------- LOGISTICS PLANNING FOR THE ICE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Kiwi side told the DCM and Wong that officials from MFAT, Antarctic New Zealand, NZ Defence Forces, and Treasury have for the past year been working on an exercise to identify the country's future logistic needs in Antarctica and to identify ways New Zealand can contribute to U.S. logistical efforts. Hughes acknowledged that there were air lift "hiccups" on the NZ side due to NZDF's C-130 upgrades. Sanson said he has been discussing the problem with NSF Director for Polar Programs Karl Erb. New Zealand government ministers have now approved Sanson take a team of NZ defense and foreign affairs officials to Washington October 11-12 to discuss icebreakers and other logistics needs over the next 5-10 years. Said Sanson, "We want to ensure that we help you the best we can." Hughes said once the NZ team returned to Wellington a paper would be submitted to Cabinet asking they approve funding for NZ's logistical commitments. -------------- ¶8. Participants -------------- NZ -- Trevor Hughes, Head, Antarctic Policy Unit, MFAT Lou Sanson, Chief Executive, Antarctic New Zealand John Tanner, Director of International Linkages, Ministry of Research, Science, and Trade (MoRST) Huntley Wright, NZDF Ian Gore, NZDF Sandra Pope, Antarctic Policy Unit, MFAT Gabrielle Rush, Deputy Director, MFAT Americas Division Sarah WYnn-Williams, MFAT Americas Division US -- DCM David J. Keegan, Embassy Wellington Alisa Wong, Economic Officer, EAP/ANP Katherine Hadda, Pol-Econ Counselor, Embassy Wellington Tod Duran, Science Officer, Embassy Wellington McCormick