TV1 News

Cold War KGB - Ansett Crash Charges - Life After Logging? - Texas Tornado - Shakey Wellington

Cold War KGB - The assignment programme tonight will reveal some of the evidence which suggests that Dr William Such, a former high-ranking public servant was involved in spying for the KGB. Police uncovered evidence which they believe was not given to the jury in the 1975 trial of Dr Such. The jury found him not guilty. He died later that year. But the polieman in charge of the investigation, Colin Lines, still believes Dr Such was a Russian spy. Another New Zealander alleged to be involved has also been named as Paddy Costello a soldier, diplomat and academic.

Ansett Crash Charges - Capt Garry Southeran, the pilot of the ill-fated flight 703 that crashed in the Manawatu, was speechless with the delay of 5 years in laying manslaughter charges against him for the death of four people. He is currently overseas and is due in court in 10 days time, April 10. (Wahine Day) He found the delay beyond belief, unfair and cruel to his family. He still doesn't know why he is being charged because he says he operated within procedures and was not told of an under-carriage fault with the Dash 8.

Life After Logging - The Government have made a $100 million cash offer to West Coast Mayors in Wellington today. The proviso is that if it is not accepted the Government will legislate away the West Coast Accord and the logging will stop now instead of the projected 2006. (The Accord actually provided indigenous logging "in perpetuity.") Jim Anderton said it was a unique situation and a unique package. Government expects the West Coast to invest the money in local development. The Mayors are to return to Wellington on 1 May to give the Government their answer. However, Westland Mayor, John Drylie, says the government legislating the terms of the Accord away would open up all sorts of legal implications. It was a Labour Government in 1986 who signed the accord as a settlement of a dispute between it, conservationists and Coasters. National are calling the package "guilt money" for Labour now wanting to break the Accord.

Texas Tornado - 88 homes have been devastated and four people have died when a tornado swept through Fort Worth. There has been millions of dollars of damage with giant trailers thrown around a truck park like toys. The FBI had to retrieve confidential documents from the bushes and trees when the papers were blown from offices.

Shakey Wellington - An earthquake measuring 5.7 hit the Wellington and Wairarapa region early this morning. It was felt as far north as Napier and the top of the South Island. There has been $100,000 in claims to the EQC so far and over 50 after-shocks have been felt. Investigations are underway to check underground pipes for damage.

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