New Zealand's Prime Minister on Iraq

The Dominion Post [Wellington, New Zealand] | April 1 2003 | Tracy Watkins

[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.

[shaggy eel]

,,, yes, before long they will have a degree of political representation.

[shaggy eel]

,,, G'day Spitzee

Would you say the bulk of callers to ZB were middle aged or older?

[spitz]

Hard to tell on Radio!!!. But if I had to guess they sounded mid-thirties onward. What's more important (this was a early afternoon slot) they were taxpayers and voters, the backbone of NZ and not the pretentious, brain washed Uni students you'd expect on evening programmes. I’d like to believe NZ has its own simmering silent majority ready to turn on this government, just need the right to stop pi$$ing away the opportunities to strike Klark/Labour when the chances arise and show a little direction.


BTW. You’re right about Rutherford and Hillary having no US money backing them.

Lord Rutherford split the atom at Manchester University and Sir Edmond Hillary was on a British expedition, they had British money backing them ; )

[toddst]

Very informative thread. Does sound like the future is brightening up for conservatives. Thanks for the ping.

[kiwiexpat]

New Zealand was doing badly in the 1980s mainly because it was making a transition from an overly regulated economy to now what is the least regulated capitalist economy among industrialized countries. NZ currently has the fastest growing economy in the world - its clipping along at 4.4% growth per annum. It DID use free enterprise and tax cuts to get ahead. It is NOT a socialist economy.

[iopscusa]

Sorry to say this Shag, but our President issued a call to help defend the good and your little Socialistic government has spoken. We have heard and watched your response. Remember, in Nov.'00, and 9/11/01, the world changed as did the way we viewed the rest of the world. Your country has become even more irrelevant...from now forward do not expect the US to consider your country as anything but a marginal and non-supporter and we will be unlikely to care enough to even take calls from NZ. All I can say is you could have done better and wish you luck in your future geo-political life....you will reap what you sow.

[2penguins]

For anyone who may be interested, do a google search with keywords Helen+Clark+Painting+Fraud

Very interesting results.

[shaggy eel]

....you will reap what you sow.

,,, You said it.

[smpc]

So 50+ years of Kiwi soldiers fighting and dying in the name of freedom,including Afghanistan,counts for nothing in your view?

[bert]

.....would impact in other areas, including trade....

How about a Lord of The Rings tariff? There would then be countervailing tariffs on hollywood products that would bounce all around rthe world, wercking the left wing industry.

[shaggy eel]

How about a Lord of The Rings tariff?

,,, what is it with Americans and tariffs? Lord of the Rings was financed with US money. Say "no" at the financing stage instead and not only can the world enjoy wall to wall Steve Martin fare for eternity, but we'd all think tariffs were on the way out. I'm biting on steel as I say this as I've got plenty of it since that last lot of tariffs went on.