Vigorous Anti-War Protests will greet John Howard

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is not welcome in New Zealand on his planned visit next week and he will be the target of vigorous anti-war protest.

Howard's visit is an extreme provocation.

Howard is supporting American plans to invade Iraq and along with Tony Blair and George Bush he makes up a trio which poses the greatest threat to world peace and stability.

The huge majority of the world's population are opposed to his warmongering plans which are illegal and immoral. The planned war is neither in self defence nor is it based on any imminent threat from Iraq.

GPJA plans will involve non-violent direct action and will be designed to make his visit as difficult and as uncomfortable as possible. However uncomfortable that is it will be nothing compared to the catastrophe he is preparing for the Iraqi people - 500,000 of whom are predicted - by the World Health Organisation - to be injured or killed as a result of war.

It is deeply disappointing that Helen Clark is hosting this visit at this critical time in world affairs. She has said she will not criticise Howard's plans to go to war and that she is delighted to host his visit. Her silence is an appeasement to war. It means she may be a clever politician but will never be a stateswoman.

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