French Expected To Promote Agents (Press, 9 July 1986)
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Summary: French Expected To Promote Agents (Press, 9 July 1986)
The two French agents, Captain Dominique Prieur and Major Alain Mafart, convicted of manslaughter for the 1985 bombing of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, are to be transferred to the Hao military base, where they will receive full pay during their three-year stay. This arrangement is described by the French Government as a “posting,” and Prime Minister David Lange confirmed this, suggesting the agents may receive promotions upon their return to France. In a heated parliamentary session, Opposition Leader Jim Bolger accused Lange of hypocrisy, stating that the New Zealand Government had essentially sold its commitment to justice for a US$7 million compensation ordered by international adjudicators. Bolger labelled Lange as “two-faced” for changing his position and alleged that the government was capitulating to French blackmail. He asserted that New Zealand’s reputation would suffer due to its perceived readiness to yield under pressure, diminishing the integrity of its judicial system. The session marked notable tensions, with several National Party members, including former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon, being ejected from the Chamber for interjecting during Lange's statements. Their confrontations included Loud echoes of "Club Med," a reference to the agents' comfortable future, and sarcastic remarks suggesting that Lange had an "egg on his face," given his earlier promises concerning the agents' status. Lange defended the government's decision, claiming it respected New Zealand’s legal principles, stating that under local laws, Mafart and Prieur would not be eligible for parole until they served at least half of their ten-year sentence. However, Bolger pointed out that the arrangement effectively undermined these principles and indicated a troubling compromise in New Zealand's judicial autonomy. He ridiculed the notion that the judicial process had remained intact, given the nature of the agreement with the French government. In addition, Bolger remarked on the bizarre nature of their departure gifts, suggesting that the agents would receive items like suntan lotion and scuba gear, indicative of their impending enjoyment at the military base in the South Pacific. The atmosphere in the House was charged, marked by interjections and protests, as Lange attempted to articulate the rationale behind the government's dealings with France regarding the agents. Other members of the Opposition echoed Bolger's sentiments, asserting that the Labour Government had manipulated political circumstances to evade responsible governance while surrendering to French demands. This ongoing debate highlighted the complexities surrounding diplomatic relations and domestic legal standards in New Zealand, raising concerns about the integrity of the nation's judicial system amidst international pressures.
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