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.
Oh, now c'mon, Shaggy! That was a LOOOOOW BLOOOOOOW!!!
For a totally different reason, Japan understands that they are nearly alone in the Asian sphere. With that in mind, they are realists enough to know what is their future best interest. Japan has no particular reason to love the US, however they were smart enough to publicly display their support for the Iraq war.
The people of Canada keep saying, it is their government, not the people that hate the US. Well, someone surely voted them into office.
Minus:
1) Political apathy has allowed the "Waco Left" to take control.
2) Outside of Wellington, no one cares about who runs the country.
3) The country spends more time/money educating rugby players than it does engineers.
,,, apart from the widely known reputation the Queensland State Police have earned themselves, it's probably better not to ask a Kiwi that question. I've only been to Aussie three times. They fancy themselves as superior in sport and business, but I'd like to see what would happen to Aussie if some long established Kiwis there all decided to come back home. Ex pat Kiwis are plentiful there. I've met the bulk of Aussies in Asia and Europe when touring. Generally, Kiwis and Aussies are better together when they're both a long way from home. In regard to major sporting events I can truthfully say that Kiwis are generally more gracious losers.
Oh, now c'mon, Shaggy! That was a LOOOOOW BLOOOOOOW!!!
,,, I've had my share of low blows NH. It's my time in the sun now.
,,, you've got it in a nutshell!
,,, Cyni, Klark takes her orders from the UN, not the NZ public. She has a number of segments to keep happy here - the trade unions, the arts/gays and the welfare kings. That's a broad base and quite a number of left wing voters. I'm in a minority group.
NATIONAL newcomer Don Brash [former Reserve Bank Governor] is dismissing reports he might be about to replace low polling Party leader Bill English.
He said that to his knowledge there was "absolutely no truth" to the suggestions made yesterday by TV3 and Independent Radio News that NATIONAL MPs were getting ready to dump Mr English in favour of him.
"I came to Parliament eight months ago with a very clear objective and that was to be the next Minister of Finance. I know of no plans to change the present leadership. I don't see it likely to happen in the present future.
Watch this space in the present future.
Seems clear to me. Time to buy Kiwis vs. Aussies?
There's a country in Europe which Ms. Clark should visit. She would love the champagne and the small talk.
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