New Zealand should be supporting second UN resolution

National says New Zealand should be supporting the US-British draft resolution seeking UN action against Iraq.

"Helen Clark's failure to support this resolution is letting Iraq off the hook, and letting down our traditional allies," said National's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Wayne Mapp.

"Saddam Hussein has consistently ignored UN resolutions and the straight-forward demands placed upon him. Helen Clark is now letting the UN be pushed around by bullies like Hussein.

"The only diplomatic language Saddam Hussein respects is the threat of force. The limited progress Iraq has grudgingly made so far is only because of the military pressure from the US and the UK.

"Iraq is clearly in breach of its obligations, and the Prime Minister's statement to Parliament recognised this fact. She now needs to follow through and support a second resolution, otherwise she is simply a fair-weather friend," said Dr Mapp.

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