New Zealand Troops Must Come Home

Clark Encourages Resistance Movement to Target NZ Troops

Global Peace and Justice Auckland is renewing its call for the withdrawal of New Zealand troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. The latest attacks on occupation forces in Iraq are a clear reminder that the people of both countries do not want foreign troops on their soil.

New Zealand troops are part of the occupation forces. The injuries to the New Zealand soldier in Iraq were sustained while he was travelling with a British convoy. Our association with the British invasion force reinforces that we are on the side of the occupiers despite the fancy diplomatic talk from our Prime Minister.

New Zealand troops are in the same position as the German occupation forces in France during World War II. We are involved in illegal and immoral occupation of sovereign countries. Just like the French resistance in the 1940’s, the Afghani and Iraqi resistance cannot be expected to differentiate between uniforms. We are foreign troops on their soil as part of this occupation.

Helen Clark’s high profile visit to the region and her appearance in Afghanistan in battledress is a slap in the face to the Afghani and Iraqi resistance fighters.

Clarks posturing is a reminder of George Bush’s swaggering in military fatigues on the deck of a US battleship after the invasion of Iraq. Clark has emulated this most offensive behaviour and has emphasised the presence of our soldiers as foreign occupiers in the region.

Clark is holding up a red rag to the Resistance fighters. And New Zealand troops will pay the price. Once again our soldiers are being used as political pawns by the New Zealand government to curry favour with the Americans.

How many troops will die to get a free trade agreement with America?

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