[dirtboy]

The offending statements were Helen Clark's expressed view at the weekend that the war would not have happened had Democrat Al Gore been elected president.

Actually, she's probably correct - Al Gore probably would never have taken action after 9/11 to counter threats to this country, compounding four years of his inaction on top of eight years of Clinton's inaction.

[sarasota]

Helen, Helen, Helen; get up to speed.

[laconic]

I think you mean NEW ZEALAND PM Clark; John Howard is the PM of Australia and has been very supportive and upfront on this war.

[kevao]

Helen Clark's expressed view at the weekend that the war would not have happened had Democrat Al Gore been elected president.

Actually, she is right about this, although not for the reasons she believes.

[NormsRevenge]

Editorial re: Clark and her remarks

Clark attacked in Australian newspaper editorial

02.04.2003 3pm

Prime Minister Helen Clark has made a distinction between New Zealand and Australia's stances over war in Iraq which is odious and wrong, The Australian newspaper says in an editorial today.

Helen Clark has said that she places principle above politics and does not care if her opposition to the war in Iraq reduces the chance of a free trade agreement with the United States, the paper says.

It quotes her: "The Government does not trade the lives of young New Zealanders for a war it does not believe in order to secure some material advantage."

This distinction between New Zealand and Australia, which has forces in Iraq and is negotiating a free trade agreement with the US, is "obvious, odious and plain wrong," The Australian says.

"Our forces have fought with the US over the decades without a trade agreement and doubtless would be serving in the Middle East even if trade talks had not started in Canberra last month."

The diplomatic push that led to last month's first round of negotiations began in the earliest days of the Bush administration, before the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 activated the US-Australian alliance.

"While it might surprise Miss Clark, the Australian Government can simultaneously walk and chew gum and has always kept trade policy and national security separate."

Just because the two countries are firm friends does not mean the trade talks will be any easier, the paper says.

"In so theatrically asserting that there was ever any possibility of trading guns for butter, Miss Clark conveniently overlooks the stark fact that New Zealand's trade strategy is not prospering. She says New Zealand's preference is for general trade reform but the next day the WTO (World Trade Organisation) announced that negotiations on agricultural trade reform were deadlocked.

"Nor did Miss Clark mention that she had unsuccessfully sought a free trade deal with the US in March 2002. She had then urged Australia not to forget New Zealand in its own negotiations with the Americans. With an economy that has slipped from ninth to 20th on the OECD rankings of industrialised nations since 1970, New Zealand can afford the high moral ground but very little else."

The Australian is owned by the Rupert Murdoch-controlled News Ltd. It has been a strong supporter of Australia's involvement in the Iraq war and long been a critic of New Zealand's defence policies.

- NZPA

[Blackyce]

This is New Zealands Prime Minister

[TADSLOS]

We should expect nothing less from a socialist.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

You can write to the Prime Minister
(no stamp needed within New Zealand) at:

Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Ph: 64 4 471 9998
Fax: 64 4 473 3579

You can e-mail the Prime Minister at: pm@ministers.govt.nz
If you e-mail the Prime Minister and would like a reply you should include a postal address in your e-mail.

You can also contact Helen at her electorate office:
65 Sandringham Road
Auckland
NEW ZEALAND
Ph: 64 9 846 3117
Fax: 64 9 846 4354

[dead]

The offending statements were Helen Clark's expressed view at the weekend that the war would not have happened had Democrat Al Gore been elected president.

She’s absolutely right. There would be no war in Iraq if Gore had been elected.

There would likely be hundreds of thousands of war casualties in NYC, Chicago, LA, St. Louis, Philly, etc., but no Iraqi citizens would be endangered.

[denydenydeny]

Helen Clark, let us remember, is another gift to the world from the French.

When the French *unilaterally* destroyed a Greenpeace vesssel in New Zealand, it outraged voters and brought the Socialists to power.

Thanks again, guys.

[Spruce]

If Gore were President:

• The State dept. would still being negotiating with the Taliban.
• We would be caving to the N. Koreans, again.
• France, Russia, and Germany would be happily doing whatever it was they were doing in Iraq
• Kyoto would be in effect
• There would have been another major attack in America and Britain
• The CVN USS Reagan would be instead named USS Clinton
• The US would be negotiating a deal giving Taiwan to China
• Pakistan would have nuked India, and vice-versa
• The US and Britain would be fighting against Dropping the UN embargoes on Iraq

I can think of many reasons to be glad W is in charge.

[RetiredArmy]

The offending statements were Helen Clark's expressed view at the weekend that the war would not have happened had Democrat Al Gore been elected president. . . .

In a subsequent press conference about the comments, she said the war did not appear to be going to plan.

Well, she is right on the first one. We would not have gone to war if Algore was President. He would still be allowing France to run the show at the UN. On the second part, I am wondering when the JCOFS took the time to give this stupid bit*h a briefing on just what our war plans were. Another stupid, no know nothing spuing off at the mouth, talking about something she knows nothing about. Another lefty at work.

[Jabba the Nutt]

I saw a clip on CNN? of the volunteer suicide bombers in Baghdad. Their spokesman used the term "Bush-Clinton". I guess that means they really don't have anything against algore and we would be at peace under that brilliant, compassionate leader.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Obviously got her talking points from Peter Arnett.

[El Sordo]

Any thoughts?

[ThomasMore]

LIBERAL SOCIALISTS

They are all mustering together echoing the same ole claptrap.

Socialism is a huge failure.  This war is yet another nail in its coffin.  That's why France, Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Canada and all the rest of the Socialist / semi-socialist countries are having kittens over this war.

[PfromHoGro]

"But she added that New Zealand valued its relationship with the US"

Yeah, right, like back during the ANZUS breakup, I was living there, watching Soviet ships come & go- Nukes? Of course nyet. Unfortunately for such a stalwart people, their elected officials sure don't mind seeing others live on their knees. Personally, I'll take dying on my feet any day.

[fuzzy122]

Whooo-raaah!!!

MEGA-

Stay Strong
Fuzzy

[ZULU]

"The offending statements were Helen Clark's expressed view at the weekend that the war would not have happened had Democrat Al Gore been elected president."

Probably true.

Al gore would have stood by even if Saddam took over Mexico and set up nuclear tipped scud bases there.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Where is Old Zeland?