Monday, October 8 2001

The bitter irony of the Western World going on the offensive against terrorism on the very day many of our Air Force personnel are booted out will not be lost on New Zealanders, ACT Defence Spokesman Owen Jennings said.

"On the very day that Air Force personnel receive their marching orders, the Western Allies have chosen to strike a military blow against terror.

"We are all a little less safe because of this Government's policy of decimating the air force. The ideologues in Helen Clark's Government stand in stark contrast to Western leaders like Blair, Howard and Chrétien.

"While others make a commitment to preserving freedom and democracy, we in New Zealand are seeing the effects of Ms Clark's desire to demolish our armed forces.

"All New Zealanders extend their sympathy to the personnel who lose their jobs today, and to their families.

"Despite the vain attempts of Helen Clark and Phil Goff to convince New Zealanders we are honourable allies of the United States, a deep and lingering distrust of this Government's motives remains among most of the population," Mr Jennings said.

ENDS

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