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What Is NZ's Response To Terrorism Campaign?

What Exactly Is New Zealand's Response To International Terrorism Campaign?

United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, is calling for a clear statement from the Government on its reaction to the United States campaign against international terrorism.

"Of course, the New Zealand Government joins the rest of the world in condemning what happened in New York and Washington last week and wants to an end to this international barbarism - that is a given - but how far is it prepared to go to support the United States and its allies in their reaction?"

"That is not clear from Government statements over the weekend."

"It seems unlikely New Zealand will take as a strong a stand as the Australians or other Commonwealth Governments like Britain and Canada, and there are good reasons for that, but it is not clear how far we are prepared to go."

"Will we, for example, be as proactive as we were in the case of the Gulf War, or are we merely going to give support from the sidelines?"

"I am picking up a strong sense from New Zealanders that we should play our part in this campaign, that we should not 'let the side down'."

"I am also hearing some disappointment expressed that our Government's reaction has not been as forthright as others and an anxiety that this may be the consequence of the new direction defence and foreign policy has taken in the last couple of years."

"International terrorism strikes at the core of every civilised nation, without fear or favour, and it is the responsibility of every civilised nation to unequivocally play its part in stamping it out."

"Apparent hesitation or ambivalence in the face of this crisis not only lets down our own country, and confirms our mounting isolationism, but also shows terrorism the lack of resolve on which it thrives," Mr Dunne says.

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