Dr Wayne Mapp
MP for North Shore
P O Box 33 017 Takapuna
MEDIA RELEASE

15 December 1999

Labour’s Defence Plans will Damage Credibility

“Labour’s Defence plans will seriously imperil our relationship with Australia and the United States,” says new National Defence Spokesman, Dr Wayne Mapp.

“Labour’s Cold War phobia is blinding it to the need to work together with our friends and allies. It is simply not credible for Helen Clark to assert that the relationship of the United States and New Zealand would not be strained by Labour’s plans, provided that overall spending is kept up,” says Dr Mapp.

“The previous National government worked hard and successfully to maintain and strengthen our relationships with the USA and countries within our region. The results were seen with the recent thawing of the relationship between USA and New Zealand. The Labour government’s plans will put these achievements, and the respect New Zealand has earned internationally, in jeopardy.”

“The fact that President Clinton felt it necessary to personally point out that the F16s deal was good for New Zealand and good for the United States shows the level of concern held by that country,” says Dr Mapp.

“Labour should learn the lessons of the past. At a time when international stability is far from assured the Government should be trying to improve our defence relationships, not damage them.”

For further information, please contact:

Dr Wayne Mapp MP:
Electorate Office: 0-9-486 0005
Parliament: 0-4-471 9674
Mobile: 0-21-668 888

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