Dr Wayne Mapp National Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

29 November 2002

Goff goes too far

Mr Goff obviously thinks his off the cuff remarks at the New Zealand Asia Institute function last night would not be reported says Nationals Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Wayne Mapp.

"Last night Mr Goff is reported as questioning the intelligence of the United States Defence department, saying there was more intelligence on one floor of the State Department in Washington than in the entire office of the Secretary of Defence. "Why is he publicly making a judgement about the United States Departments of Defence and State? It is simply crass.

" Also at the same function he is reported to have compared Israel and Iraq which is also quite bizarre. Iraq has used poison gas. It has started two major wars. It is run by a ruthless dictator.

"While we obviously want the Middle East to be rid of nuclear weapons, it is fundamentally wrong to compare Israel with Iraq.

"Finally, when did Mr Goff become an expert on military strategy? What inside knowledge does he have that makes him believe that a new Battle of Stalingrad is looming in Iraq?

"Thinking before speaking is always good advice, Mr Goff needs to take it," says Dr Mapp.

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