Clark Must Reconsider Position on Iraq

ACT Deputy Leader and Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ken Shirley is calling on Helen Clark to reconsider her position on the use of military force to disarm the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq.

"In addition to standing apart from our traditional allies, the US, Australia and the UK, we are now in variance with the majority of European and OECD countries. The governments of Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain and Portugal have now joined the UK by signing an open letter calling on the world to unite behind the US to ensure that the despotic regime in Iraq is disarmed. Saddam Hussein has flouted UN resolutions for over twelve years, with frequent breaches of the non-proliferation treaty involving chemical, biological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. In addition, his regime has terrorised and brutalised the Iraqi people.

"The United Nations risks ridicule if it is not prepared to back up its resolutions when challenged by rogue nations. President Bush has shown leadership in uniting global efforts to sanction these breaches. New Zealand's position is now growing more and more lonely, and the Government must urgently reconsider, even at this late stage," Mr Shirley said.

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