UN Ambassador Jim McLay on TV One’s Q+A programme
New Zealand's United Nations Ambassador Jim McLay on TV One’s Q+A programme.
New Zealand's United Nations
Ambassador Jim McLay told Q+A he rejects claims New
Zealand’s place on the Security Council will impact on the
independence of our foreign policy.
“On the contrary it will highlight New Zealand's independent foreign policy. We have that reputation at the UN.”
“Remember this. We are one of the very few countries of the UN that isn't a member of the some political bloc or alliance.”
UN Ambassador Jim McLay also told Q+A the UN seat does not put more pressure on a country like New Zealand to commit peacekeepers or troops to any UN mission.
“Those decisions will be made separately in accordance with New Zealand's national interests, and they will have nothing to do with the stance that we have taken on the Security Council.”
Jim McLay says he is confident New Zealand can make a difference during the two year tenure.
“We made it very clear that we didn’t just want to be there to fill a seat, we wanted to make a difference. And if you look back on the last time we were on the Council in 93/94, we did make a difference.”
Q+A, 9-10am Sundays on TV ONE and one hour later on TV ONE plus 1. Repeated Sunday evening at 11:35pm. Streamed live at www.tvnz.co.nz
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