QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

(Reply due 16 December 1997)

Jeanette FITZSIMMONS to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade:

Has he or his predecessor met with David Aaron, a Clinton Administration official from the United States, during the last three years; if so, what was the date and purpose of each meeting?

ANSWER

Rt Hon Don McKINNON (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) replied:

As Foreign Minister I meet a very large number of officials from around the world. However, I have no recollection of having met Mr Aaron [1].

[1] "I don't recall". This doesn't really mean much, since he would have met with the GCSB and not MFAT. MFAT would have found out later when the GCSB "advised" them of it (see the written question on the GCSB's role in export controls).