Helen Clark is defying the lessons of history and logic if she believes New Zealand never has and never will face any security threats, Opposition Defence Spokesperson Wayne Mapp said today.

“It has been clear for some time that Labour wants to take New Zealand down the path of isolationism, and today’s statement is another step down that direction.

“She said, and I quote: ‘…from the point of view of our own security right here in New Zealand there is no threat, will never be a threat. I say that quite bluntly.’

“Is she saying that New Zealand peacekeepers in conflicts such as East Timor face no threats?

“Is she saying that our region faces no threats to security or trade routes?

“Is she predicting that there will never be a threat to our economic zone with its huge fisheries and potentially vast mineral resources?

“Surely Helen Clark cannot be so naïve to believe New Zealand is only threatened if its shores are invaded. She appears to believe New Zealand should be an island to itself, totally cut off from the region and its trends.

“No wonder she seems prepared to have a radically downgraded defence force of little use in the ANZAC partnership.

“Piece by piece, Helen Clark seems to want to engineer a quite radical shift in our security relationships.

“It is time she fronted up and told New Zealanders what she is trying to do,” Dr Mapp said.

Ends

© Scoop Media