Alliance conference rejects peace - Greens

11 November 2001

Green Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke today expressed disappointment that anti-war delegates at the Alliance conference lost a motion for the withdrawal of SAS troops from the Afghanistan war.

"It's a blow to the anti-war cause," said Mr Locke.

Mr Locke said if the anti-war motion had passed, the Alliance could have helped the Greens to put significant pressure on Labour to bring the SAS troops home, particularly as there are also Labour MPs who oppose the war.

"The Greens don't want to be the only party in Parliament opposed to a war which is causing such death and destruction, to no good end.

"We don't accept the argument run by Alliance MPs at the conference that an antiwar stand would 'destabilise' the Labour/Alliance government," said Mr Locke

"To the contrary, the Government will lose credibility if it keeps supporting an unjust war, particularly as civilian casualties mount.

"Green Party members and MPs will continue to work with Alliance members in anti-war coalitions across the country. We look forward to the day when Alliance MPs join us in opposing the military assault on Afghanistan," said Mr Locke.

ENDS

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