Commonwealth Secretary-General Reacts Strongly to New Zealand Media Reports

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon issued the following statement in Malta today where the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is being held:

" I reject reports in the New Zealand media that I view democracy as anything other than the cornerstone of the Commonwealth.

" There were no 'throwaway' lines in my prepared text for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.

" Quite the contrary, I have always stressed that democracy and development are two sides of one coin - people cannot eat democracy, but development cannot occur without freedom.

" I have long stated publicly this point about the relationship between democracy and development - a relationship endorsed by all Commonwealth Heads of Government, incidentally.

" I am appalled at the sloppiness evident in reports I have seen and I have also raised the matter with Prime Minister Clark who was also quoted in the report.

" I have been available to media from all our Commonwealth countries in the last week but have not had a single question or request from the New Zealand media here.

" It is disappointing that those responsible for this poor journalism did not do their homework or ask the necessary questions if in doubt."