Demands Made For NZ Military To Withdraw From Iraq

Approximately 300 people took to Auckland’s Queen Street Saturday as part of a global march for world peace. Calls were made for New Zealand to withdraw military support for the ongoing U.S-led occupation of Iraq. Others cried for peace in the Middle East and for an end to oppression against Palestinian people.

On Iraq, Green Party MP Keith Locke said: “"In the 12 months since, Bush, Blair and Howard's justification for the assault has proven to be built on lies. There are no 'weapons of mass destruction' - other than those in the US arsenal.

"Yesterday in the House, Michael Cullen, speaking for the Prime Minister, admitted our army engineers in Iraq, as well as doing reconstruction work, could be assisting British military patrols by repairing their Rigid Raider and Combat Patrol Boats. For the sake of Iraqi sovereignty and the sake of New Zealand's reputation as a peaceful, principled nation the Government should take the opportunity of the first anniversary of the Iraqi calamity to recall our troops,” Keith Locke said.

Around 200 people protested in Wellington and hundreds more nationwide voiced their opposition to the tyrannical state of global insecurity.

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