Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

US fails to make case for war


US fails to make case for war

Green Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke has today condemned Helen Clark for giving credence to US Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation to the Security Council.

"By saying Powell gave 'pretty good evidence of a pattern of deception' she's actually helping the warmongers in the Bush administration.

"In fact, the US failed yet again to come up with any real proof that Iraq is developing, concealing or intends using weapons of mass destruction," said Mr Locke.

"Colin Powell went to the UN promising to deliver clear evidence of Saddam's weapons programme. He promised the world a smoking gun but in the end he couldn't even produce a leaking water-pistol.

"Instead, the UN was once again regaled with a list of unsubstantiated claims, vague linkages and unauthenticated pictures and audio. It would all be ruled inadmissible in any court of law. The allegations of an al Qaeda connection are particularly absurd.

"And is that it? Is that all the 'proof' the White House believes it needs to justify a massive war on the people of Iraq?"

Keith Locke warns that the American PR machine is now moving into overdrive to swing public opinion enough to allow the governments of its allies and client states to back the war with some illusion of independent action.

"Ms Clark's comments today show she is still bending to US pressure. Today she is also talking of sending in armed troops to clean up after a war. She should stop being fatalistic and become an outspoken advocate for peace as people are increasingly demanding.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"The leaked conversation between our Australian High Commissioner and Australian Foreign Minister Downer is another reason why we should have nothing to do with the American effort in the Gulf.

"Are we also 'not in a position to withdraw' our frigate Te Mana from the Persian Gulf, if a war starts?" Mr Locke asked. "Doesn't this reinforce the Green position that by having a frigate monitoring Iraqi and other Gulf shipping, we are complicit in preparations for a war?"

"Or, like Mr Downer, are there some things our Prime Minister isn't talking about 'publicly?'"


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.