13 September 2012

Media Statement

McCully extends condolences to US

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today extended New Zealand’s condolences to the American people and the US Government over the loss of life at their diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.

“We are shocked and saddened by this attack on the US post, and by the death of the US Ambassador to Libya and three other US personnel,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand strongly condemns these acts of violence and sends our thoughts to the families, colleagues and friends of those killed.

“As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has noted, this was an attack by a small and savage group and not by the people or Government of Libya.

“New Zealand is committed to working with its friends and partners, including the United States, in pursuit of a more stable and democratic Libya,” Mr McCully says.

ends

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World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>