Chief Of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
TE OPE KAATUA O AOTEAROA

August 19, 2002.

MEDIA STATEMENT

Chief Of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson

“New Zealand Defence Force personnel working in the Headquarters of the United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida, are not (NOT) engaged in planning New Zealand involvement in any potential action against Iraq.

“An unsubstantiated NZPA report, quoting an unnamed former Army officer and distributed yesterday, is untrue.

“Further more, our people have specific instructions from me that their sole task is assisting with coordination of Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.”

“The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has confirmed New Zealand has Special Air Service forces in Afghanistan as part of enduring freedom.

“Five New Zealand officers have been working alongside officers from 38 other international countries in Tampa to assist in coordinating our efforts in Afghanistan.

ENDS

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