Actions Speak Louder Than Words, PM

Monday 22 Nov 2004

Ken Shirley - Press Releases - Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Helen Clark is dreaming if she thinks New Zealand is any closer to a free trade agreement with the United States, ACT New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Spokesman Ken Shirley said today.

"Helen Clark is starting to sound like a broken record. Every APEC meeting she waxes lyrical about the possibility of a free trade agreement between the US and New Zealand," Mr Shirley said.

"The Prime Minister's statements about yet another push for a FTA are nothing but empty words. The sad reality is that New Zealand is light years away from any such deal.

"The blame for this can be placed squarely on Helen Clark. She has overseen a massive deterioration in our diplomatic relationship with the US, especially after her insulting Gore-Iraq comments last year.

"New Zealanders are sick and tired of the Prime Minister's attempts to make out that an FTA is just around the corner. My advice to her is that actions speak louder than words," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

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