Posted on 09/30/2001 9:37:00 PM PDT by super175
AUCKLAND, Oct 1 (AFP) - Two out of three New Zealanders think their government should offer military support to the United States in its war on terrorism, a newspaper poll showed Monday.
Despite its modern-day anti-nuclear stance, New Zealand has a history of military support for its western allies, as was shown in World War I and World War II, the Vietnam and Korean wars as well as the more recent Gulf and Bosnian conflicts.
The New Zealand Herald survey of 552 people between September 28 and 30 showed 67 percent were in favour of offering military support, 27 percent were opposed and six percent were unsure.
The poll found 58 percent supported US military action in retribution for the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
Just 25 percent were against military action, and 18 percent were unsure.
The results also found 61 percent of respondents wanted New Zealand to become an active member of ANZUS again.
ANZUS, the Australia, New Zealand and United States Alliance, is a security pact signed by the three states in 1952. It was weakened when New Zealand refused to allow nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels into its waters three decades later.
Seventy-five percent said armed security guards should be present on overseas flights. The attacks have had a dramatic effect on international travel plans, with 12 percent of Kiwis saying they will cancel trips scheduled over the coming months.
On Friday, Prime Minister Helen Clark reinforced New Zealand's commitment to US action, saying: "The international effort to deal to terrorism, which New Zealand supports, will be ongoing, multifaceted and prolonged."
Ahh,you inadvertantly said it all here mgstarr.
No publicity,low profile,operating all around the globe and,despite the ANZUS thing,we still operate with the US.
Not even the NZ public or most of our politicians know what we get up to.....
Btw, read in your profile,"soon to be Kiwi." So, Welcome in!! Regards.
I hear that the Air Force now wants to disband it's transport capability.
That way, the next time the Aussies prevent her from leaving their shores,they'll have to bloody well keep her!lol.
Well, how stupid is that??
A true elite soldier will never openly criticize another elite soldier.
Just a sign of professionalism,that's all!
Regards
Plus, in San Diego, former SEALs are not exactly a rarity.
And at least in this nation, we will be able to defend ourselves, with everything from jet fighters to our own semi auto rifles.
We won't have to meet the Chinese on our bellies in the "spread em" position begging for mercy.
I think that Singapore or Brunei will be able to put up more of a fight than the de-balled voluntarily disarmed Kiwis.
A people who will not defend themselves will not long be free in today's world.
I said that "your drop would be welcome in our bucket".
70-100 Kiwi SASers out of the US-UK 28,000 specops troops is literally a drop in our bucket.
And after they fly commercial to the staging areas, I am sure that the US and UK will find a spot for them on OUR C-130s and helos.
Otherwise, it will be a long hike in on their own Kiwi provided transportation: boot leather.
Be men, demand a proper defense from your pinko pacifist lady leader.
Properly armed and organized, NZ could be a deadly hedgehog, unappetizing to an invader.
Or you can just "think happy thoughts", and learn Chinese in your spare time.
Yeah ok, but please don't be offended if we use the Brits' transport over yours;after the debacle some years back with the attempted rescue of US hostages from Tehran,I'd feel safer with the RAF.
If I remember rightly,that disaster would've been averted if only your guys had listened to the advice that was offered; advice that came from British and Kiwi SAS personnel.
But,as usual, you Yanks know best don't you!
This well off the mark. I suggest that you relate to me which part of my post even remotely suggested that we were grudging in lending our support. We have done so in a very real manner.
you also stated the following ...
However, this comment:
Where is Manhattan's army? Why are not Manhattan people pledging their air force, their SAS, their ships and carrier planes and helicopters? Because it's just a city with only about 2.5 million people.
implies that Manhatten has not supplied anything. I corrected the position.
It implies nothing of the sort - it states that Manhatten has no army, air force or navy because it is a city. It is not expected to. However, New Zealand, with a similar population, not only is expected to have a full military complement but also use it in international concerns far from our shores.
You also stated: This french terrorist thing has been brought up a number of times, primarily on the original thread.
Yes, I was the one who originally brought this up to counter a statement at the time that we knew nothing about terrorism and would expect the USA to come screaming to our aid if we were ever hit. Of course we had been hit by terrorism from another country and as devestating as the events of 11/9 was, the terrorist event that happened in our own harbour was just as devestating to us and shook our country to the very core. Do you even remember the public outcry for a war against France despite the obvious fact that we could never win against a vastly superior force?
However, this is getting off the original intent - New Zealand has expressed it's horror and offered whatever support necessary, including it's SAS if required. The original incorrectly worded newspaper article caused a number of hate posts against New Zealand that were frankly quite scary. These continued even after the real facts were proven.
Now I can't help wondering;why on earth would they come all the way down here to bother us?
Would it be for our strategic geographical position? Our unlimited mineral resources? Our huge land mass? Or is it our advanced military technology they'd be after? Hey I know! They're after our sheep! Of course!They'd keep Beijing and Shanghai going for a few weeks.
Personally I think the Chinese are more interested in Taiwan,don't you?
As an ex SEAL, I would've thought your strategic thinking would be better than that!
And as for 20000 PLA troops coming at us with slingshots, isn't that more or less what the Somali Warlords downed your aircraft with in Mogadishu?
Would you really be interested? NZ interests very few Americans, even when we have a real government in power. I suspect we can maximise interest thru the "Foreign Affairs" or mainstream threads on FR.
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