Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Cosying up to US will increase terrorist threat


Cosying up to US will increase terrorist threat on NZ

A former Australian soldier and intelligence analyst, who resigned over the war in Iraq, has this morning warned that cosying up to the US would increase the likelihood of terrorist attacks in New Zealand.

The Green Party has brought former Australian Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Wilkie to New Zealand to highlight the threat to New Zealand of diluting our independent foreign policy and nuclear-free status, as National is proposing. Mr Wilkie, Green Co-Leader Rod Donald and Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Keith Locke are holding a press conference in Auckland this morning.

"Cosying up to the United States would compromise the independence of your country's foreign policy at the expense of New Zealand's national interest," Mr Wilkie says. "It would also compromise New Zealand's security significantly.

"New Zealand is fortunate enough to currently not be at risk of any conventional threat. However, relying again on a US umbrella would make New Zealand a nuclear target again and the likelihood of a terrorist attack against New Zealand interests - in New Zealand and offshore - would increase."

Mr Wilkie said diluting New Zealand's anti-nuclear position would have significant consequences for our country.

"The cost to New Zealand's anti-nuclear position would be dramatic. The United States would demand visits by nuclear-propelled ships, but never disclose honestly whether they are nuclear armed. Given Bush's determination to develop new tactical nuclear weapons, it's reasonable to assume that ships coming to New Zealand would carry such devices.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"No nuclear-propulsion can be considered safe. All such ships are potential targets for terrorist attacks, as has happened in the past with the USS Cole off Yemen in 2000 and the USS Ashland off Jordan in the past few days."

Mr Donald said Mr Wilkie's comments should help put foreign policy at the heart of the election campaign.

"Not only is Dr Brash being cavalier with our international reputation, he's also playing Russian roulette with Kiwi lives.

"Don Brash has indicated that, under National, New Zealand's anti-nuclear status could be diluted in an effort to get a free-trade agreement with the United States. Mr Wilkie's expert testimony has made it very clear that a National Government under Brash's direction would make Kiwis less safe at home and abroad.

"If our nuclear legislation was gone by lunchtime in an effort to cosy up to the Americans, our proud reputation as a committed opponent to nuclear proliferation would be trawled through the mud and Kiwis would become terrorist targets overnight."

Mr Locke said, "We would be stupid to throw away our world standing as a leading anti-nuclear campaigner for no proven benefit."


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.