Media Release
11 November 2003

Government Hushes Up Algerian Case

New Zealand First has accused the Government of hushing up a suspected terrorist case involving the arrival of an individual from Algeria in September this year.

In Parliament today, Rt Hon Winston Peters was denied information about an investigation into the individual and the acting Immigration Minister repeatedly refused to supply any details of the case.

Mr Peters original question was:

Is the Government currently involved in any investigations with respect to arrivals from Algeria in September 2003; if so, what are the circumstances of those investigations?

“Neither the Minister of Immigration, nor her associate Minister would front in Parliament today.

“There is already one suspected terrorist from Algeria in New Zealand and the details of this individual have gradually been dragged out into the open.

“Why is the Government refusing to tell New Zealanders about this new case? Is it because its open-border policy for the riffraff of the Third World is starting to become embarrassing?

“The Government has a duty to take the people into its confidence – no matter how embarrassing this might be.

“All New Zealanders have a stake in our national security. This case is of deep concern to all of us,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media