Murray McCully MP
National Party Foreign Affairs, Trade & Defence Spokesman

19 July 2006

Winston Peters is not up to Foreign Affairs role

Winston Peters’ decision to prematurely curtail a media conference with Senator John McCain in Washington is "further evidence that Mr Peters is not up to the important post of Minister of Foreign Affairs," according to National Party Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Murray McCully.

"Mr Peters’ move to intervene when the Senator was in full flight extolling the reasons for an improved trade and defence relationship was the ultimate example of seizing defeat from the jaws of victory.

“The fact that the man he decided to treat so rudely has been a consistent friend to New Zealand, who may end up becoming the next President of the United States, makes his behaviour even more inexcusable.

"Mr Peters needed to place his responsibilities as New Zealand's chief advocate on the international stage ahead of his petty feud with the New Zealand news media.

“His failure to do so demonstrates yet again that he is not big enough for the office he now holds," says Mr McCully.

ENDS

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