Posted on 09/21/2001 8:31:38 PM PDT by kattracks
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - New Zealand has offered a military support in the fight against terrorism and is in it for the "long haul," Prime Minister Helen Clark said Friday.
United States President George W. Bush had "delivered a clear and unequivocal message to the Taliban and other governments who harbor terrorists," Clark said.
New Zealand would support the U.S. determination to root out the followers of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and other terrorist groups, she said.
"We will play our part in international efforts to cut off access to funds by terrorist groups. We are also prepared to make a military contribution," she said.
Clark didn't elaborate but analysts said the options could include New Zealand special force commandos assisting with lightning strikes against terrorist cells in the Asia-Pacific region, and possibly joining a bigger strike force in the Afghanistan region.
Air force transport planes, medical services, naval patrol vessels and other supports were also options which New Zealand provided during the Gulf War.
"This will be a lengthy campaign. We urge the U.S. to coordinate closely with others as this campaign develops. President Bush has said that he sees this as an international effort. New Zealand is in it for the long haul too," she said.
Are you a Kiwi? You folks are certainly darn good sailors - and you have tons of heart. We appreciate our Kiwi friends even if we aren't charmed by their PM. Please don't take that last part personally. I'd be proud to have the Kiwi support (and, I'd sure love to get that America's Cup trophy back!)
Cheers,
Endeavor
Isn't it the darned-est thing that money has become more important than nationality in such a fine race? And I'm not being sarcastic - it is truly sad (I know, call me a sap but I can't help it).
You know, there's a whole lot of stealth involved in sailing - we could certainly use you folks as stealth fighters in this new war on terrorism. We obviously haven't been as "stealthy" in figuring out what makes your boats go faster. Any hints?!
I readily admit that my only source for Clark's supposed reluctance to help was from a Free Republic thread posted about four or five days ago. After doing a search just now, I couldn't find the original thread, but I found this one, which says that some Kiwis now claim that the original quote from the New Zealand Press was "inaccurate."
If I was wrong in my assertion, please accept my apology.
25 years of rugby has left a few brain cells>
As for Afghanistan, I not. Our guns will voice our displeasure for us.
Wonder what SoS Powell told her ambassador behind closed doors to make her do a 180. I sure that several thousand emails telling her what she could do to her lambs and kiwi fruit had an impact!
Okay, we can go back to eating NZ Lamb and their fuji apples. However as punishment for her first stand, please buy Napa/Sonoma wines, we need the business to pay taxes to fund this upcoming war! I hate Kiwi fruit, those damn little seeds get stuck between my teeth!
Just for everyone else;
At posting #104 here , there's a letter from the New Zealand ambassador to the US that someone got in reply after getting angry at the earlier (false) report.
And just in case anyone is thinking of turning this into another ANZUS debate (hehe), there is a paper here on the topic - it's at an Aussie site, written by a New Zealander, and reviewed by an American. Seems to give a pretty balance view on it all.
All of 'em, but I don't know their IDs and I'm not up on FReep protocols.
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