Somebody Tell the Greens: The Cold War is Over

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley has slammed the Green Party, branding them Luddites for opposing the bid by Air New Zealand's engineering operation at Christchurch International Airport to win a huge new contract to service Hercules C130 aircraft for the United States Air Force.

"This contract is worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually and would create many more jobs at the impressive Christchurch facility, which is already earning an envious reputation worldwide.

"The reported comments of the Green Party's Foreign Affairs Spokesman Keith Locke sadly reveal the stark isolationist policies his party advocates for New Zealand, and a lack of comprehension of technology.

"The Hercules C130 is the "mule" of air force, and most assignments the aircraft are set involve humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical support services.

"New Zealand has suffered enough from foolish anti-American rhetoric.

"Keith Locke and his cronies should wake up and realise the Cold War is over. The Soviet Union and not the USA has been exposed as the "evil empire".

"As a nation, we should be proud to be in with a chance to win a contract of this scale. We should welcome the opportunity to work cooperatively with the air force of our traditional ally, the United States," Mr Shirley said.

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