So far only one New Zealander has proven worthy of my admiration...
Posted on 03/31/2003 6:44:16 PM PST by shaggy eel
Prime Minister Helen Clark has sounded a warning over the “ripple effects” of the war in Iraq on efforts to free up world trade and has angered political opponents by referring to it as an invasion.
She also placed a free trade deal with the United States as third on New Zealand’s list of priorities amid warnings that the Government’s stance on Iraq is hindering its prospects with a US administration stung by international criticism.
Her first priority was World Trade Organisation trade liberalisation and her second was eliminating tariffs for developed APEC countries by 2010.
In a pointed barb at NATIONAL and ACT [NZ right wing Parties who say New Zealand should be in Iraq with its traditional allies], Miss Clark said yesterday that she would not send New Zealanders to war for a trade deal.
”The bottom line is that this Government doesn’t trade the lives of young New Zealanders for a war it doesn’t believe in, in order to secure some material advantage.”
”I grew up in an era where a former Prime Minister did rush off into war with such considerations in mind and it’s not the sort of government that I want to lead.”
Miss Clark was also less than fulsome in rejecting suggestions that other countries including Australia, had backed the US for economic advantage.
”That’s been dismissed by those involved, so I will have to accept their word.”
ACT deputy leader Ken Shirley was critical of Miss Clark’s comments, including her observation that the war was not going to plan for the US and its allies.
Miss Clark also said that, while there was no love of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, “when there is an invasion, people may feel [moved] to fight for what they see as the country rather than the regime and I suspect that may be what’s happened.”
Mr Shirley accused Miss Clark of “giving comfort to Saddam Hussein” with her remarks amid an insistence by the US and its allies that they are in Iraq as liberators.
Miss Clark warned that the breakdown in international relations over Iraq would impact in other areas, including trade.
Following the failure of agricultural trade liberalisation negotiations last week, economists expressed fears that tensions between the US and some European Union nations could spill over into trade.
But Miss Clark said yesterday she was still hopeful of a resolution on the farm talks.
Young people have always gone offshore for greater opportunities - our total population is just under 4 million and primary produce and derivitives still largely account for the bulk of our export receipts.
It's become more and more socialist here but soon will come the time when I stop working to support those who don't. This government has bought votes from trade unions, welfare beneficiaries and many other sectors. It now faces a roading crisis as a lot of money collected via road tax has gone to the consolidated fund - to pay for welfare promises. Long term, I hold little hope for any advancement here unless a responsible administration evolves.
,,, exactly. The trap. It amazes me that people don't see what's happening in this process. Taxes are raised to keep the large voting base, consumer credit makes everything possible for those who work and pay the high taxes and politicians are less and less accountable as our standard of living declines.
,,, you're suggesting that she detains a US citizen?
Your perception of New Zealand's relative economic success during the 1980s is what has collapsed the right wing here. The reforms were started but never finished. Had education and health been tackled, this country would be quite a different proposition now. Effectively, state owned assets were sold at fire sale prices to offshore interests and the money left the country - a bit like all the US gold that's now in Europe. There was nothing voters could do.
New Zealand is involved only in Operation Enduring Freedom to the point of having their new frigate Te Mana in the Gulf, near Oman. Prior to this the frigate Te Kaha carried out the same function. These vessels help in searches of shipping in and out of the Gulf, under directions of the Canadians. I understand we have C-130s and P-3s there as well. As for regular troops in Iraq? Officially, "no".
,,, caught ya on a bad day cowboy?
So far only one New Zealander has proven worthy of my admiration...
Rutherford was a New Zealander who's claim to fame was that he was first to split the atom. Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of another New Zealander's "first" status... Edmond Hillary climbed Mt Everest. Both these events were achieved without US financing. I doubt Peter Jackson will end up on one of our bank notes. This morning's front page carried a picture of him in the "grip" of King Kong, held out over Wellington City, where his next big shoot will occur next year.
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