Media Release
16 December 2002

Deport Suspected Terrorist Urges Peters

New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters has urged the Government to put suspected terrorist Ahmed Zaoui on the first plane back to where he came from.

Mr Peters said it was outrageous that the Government should even consider giving Zaoui refugee status because of his reported links to the military wing of the Islamic Front for Salvation and the radical Armed Islamic Group.

“Zaoui has obviously come here because he knows that New Zealand is a soft touch for refugees and he knows this Government will ensure that he gets legal aid, welfare benefits, state–provided housing and health care.

“He will join the hundreds of other illegals currently camped in New Zealand living off the backs of taxpayers.

“The Government should put the safety of New Zealanders above everything else. I will be raising this matter when the intelligence and security committee meets tomorrow,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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