From: Peace Action Wellington
Date: 13 March 2007

“The continued military deployment of New Zealand troops to Afghanistan and now a Navy frigate to the Persian Gulf is clear evidence that Helen Clark, Phil Goff and the Labour Government are acting as an extension of the US military machine” said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie Morse.

“The New Zealand Defence Force has been in Afghanistan since 2001. In that time, gross human rights violations, torture and murder have been carried out by US troops there. When is Phil Goff going to appreciate that the best help we can give the Afghani people is to get out of their country and stop supporting the US occupation there?”

“Labour would like us to believe that the deployment to Afghanistan is a self-less ‘peacekeeping’ mission. We must ask, whose peace are we keeping there? September 11th is invoked as the rationale for the initial bombing and invasion of Afghanistan, yet 14 of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, not Afghanistan. In reality, this mission is about US power and control of the region and its resources. New Zealand wants part of that pie.”

“Phil Goff’s comment that ‘every little bit helps’ when referring the deployment of the Navy frigate to the Persian Gulf is equally revealing. He is right – every little bit does help – it helps to support the US army occupation of Iraq. It helps to support their agenda in the region – an agenda that is about taking away freedoms, not restoring them.”

“Frankly, the people of Iraq and Afghanistan deserve better than this from New Zealanders. Most people here were opposed to the war on Iraq, yet now, once again, the Labour government is supporting it, albeit stealthily.”

“The US is going into its 5th year of occupation in Iraq. The world is sick and tired of fighting wars for US corporate greed and strategic control of the Middle East. March 20th is an international day of action against war and millions of people will again take to the streets to stop this war. Resistance to Labour’s warmongering will continue here in New Zealand as well. Marches and rallies are planned in both Auckland and Wellington.”

“Peace Action Wellington invites all people to join us for a rally at Parliament on March 20th at 12 noon. There will be music, food, speakers and action for everyone.”