Speak up Helen From: Peace Action Wellington

‘Winston Peters' support for the continued occupation of Iraq by US, UK and Australian troops demonstrates his allegiance to the warmongers Bush and Howard. He is very deeply confused if he doesn’t realise that there already is a civil war going on in Iraq. The US started it when it invaded the country 4 years ago, and it is happy to see it continue’ said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie Morse

‘More to the point, however, is Helen Clark’s unwillingness to comment on the situation in Iraq. The fact that NZ doesn’t have troops in Iraq at the moment is actually irrelevant. The war is a horrific nightmare for the people of Iraq. There are 650,000 dead Iraqi people as a direct result of this war; people have been deliberately and systematically tortured and massacred by the US military. Yet Clark can’t even manage to say “This is wrong and we condemn it.”’

‘Clark doesn’t want to lose out on a free trade deal with Washington. Once again the Labour Party is trying to have its cake and eat it too. Their foreign policy involves sending troops to support the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan while their propaganda machine tells us it is “peacekeeping.” The government also continues to spy for the US military from its bases at Waihopai and Tangimoana. It is hardly neutral in this war.’

‘New Zealanders have had enough of this grotesque and greed-driven occupation. It is time the Labour Party decided which side it is on, the people’s or Bush’s. We say: Condemn this war, close the spybases and cease all military involvement with the US.’

Peace Action Wellington will be marking the fourth year of the invasion and occupation of Iraq on Tuesday, 20 March 2007 at 12 noon at Parliament. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.peacewellington.org

ENDS

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