29 August 2002

Goff Must Pursue Zimbabwean Claims

National is demanding that Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil Goff, makes a Ministerial Statement in Parliament today about claims militant supporters of Robert Mugabe have threatened Zimbabwean exiles living in New Zealand.

"The Minister must reassure all New Zealanders that the police, security and immigration checks are in place to stop Mugabe's thugs visiting here and terrorising immigrants and exiles," says National's Foreign Affairs spokesman Dr Wayne Mapp.

"In these days of heightened awareness of international terrorism, a country's security should be the foremost duty of any Government. It is imperative that Phil Goff assures New Zealanders that their security is of utmost concern.

"This issue is too important to be left in the hands of immigration authorities alone, given their inability to detect proven criminals coming into this country," says Dr Mapp.

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