12 November 2001

Taiwan WTO Decision A Good First Step For NZ Says Dunne

The decision today by the World Trade Organisation to admit Taiwan to its membership is a good positive step according to the Leader of United Future New Zealand, Hon Peter Dunne.

"We fully support this move and congratulate the democratically elected government of Taiwan on obtaining membership status of the WTO." Mr Dunne said today.

" Given our Government's reluctance to even acknowledge the existence of Taiwan we are somewhat surprised, but delighted, by today's effusive welcome from the Minister of Trade Negotiations.

"Following my success in introducing a Notice of Motion to the House congratulating the election of a democratic government in Taiwan last year, I now look forward to the Government make some real progress towards officially granting Taiwan full diplomatic recognition status.

"Taiwan is an important trading partner for New Zealand and all efforts should be made to enhance and encourage this relationship. The time for this Government to ignore the separate status of Taiwan is now well and truly passed."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>