15 September 2001

The National opposition today called for New Zealand to join with Australia, our most important security partner, and the United States to invoke Articles III and IV of the ANZUS Treaty.

"New Zealanders have listened to the many pious words of the Deputy Prime Minister this week about New Zealand's solidarity in any international efforts to provide a united stand against terrorism.

"The expressions of deep concern Europe and the US have shown over the terrorists acts in New York and Washington have been turned into action by NATO's decision to invoke Article V of the NATO Treaty which says that 'an attack against one is an attack against all'.

"Yesterday the Australian Government invoked Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty to which New Zealand is still formally a signatory. Article III is a consultation provision.

"If there is any one single expression of our commitment to live up to our national commitment to join the fight against international terrorism, it would be to join Australia and the US in invoking the Article IV provisions of the ANZUS Treaty. Indeed, there is an argument for invoking Article V, the so-called 'an attack against one is an attack against all' provision.

"National calls on the Government to invoke Article IV, rather than leave New Zealand as the only civilised Government in the world standing on the sidelines over the awful terrorist situation in the US.

"If Helen Clark and Phil Goff are not prepared to do this the world will see yet again that New Zealand's words are nothing more than that, words. It is now time for concrete commitments and concrete action from New Zealand," Mr Bradford said.

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