WikiLeaks: WMD Proliferators' E.O.

7 July, 2005 SUBJECT: WMD PROLIFERATORS' E.O.

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

Classified By: POLITICAL ECONOMIC COUNSELOR KATHERINE HADDA, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D)

1. (C) Pol/Econ Couns shared reftel information with Deborah Panckhurst, Deputy Director of the Disarmament Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, stressing our desire that New Zealand adopt a similar policy. Panckhurst promised to review the E.O. closely and said that she would take our request on board.

2. (C) Panckhurst noted, however, that as New Zealand approaches general elections (expected to be called for mid-September) government bureaucrats are resisting putting forward any new initiatives for Ministers' consideration. This is standard practice in New Zealand, and is designed to prevent a Government close to the end of its term from putting forward new legislation or policies that an incoming Government might not favor.

Swindells

ENDS

© Scoop Media