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Don't Sell Our Sovereignty

Green MP Keith Locke is glad New Zealand won't be backing down on our nuclear-free law after Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen was told it was a barrier to a free trade deal with America.

"We should never trade away what we believe in," said Mr Locke.

"The Bush administration has been dangling a free trade deal in front of New Zealanders to undermine our peace policies.

"While the government knew it could not get away with abandoning our nuclear free status, it did send the SAS to Afghanistan to help wrap up a free trade agreement.

"Michael Cullen's latest comments seem to indicate it has all been in vain.

"Meanwhile, New Zealand is involved in a very messy war. The latest Newsweek describes how US troops mistreat villagers in Afghanistan and how this has produced hostility towards the American-led force.

"Is it worthwhile our SAS being associated with such brutality, in exchange for a mirage of a free trade agreement?" asked Mr Locke.

ENDS

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