Papers make mockery of Clark call on SAS

Secret papers made public in a new book make a mockery of Helen Clark's policy of saying nothing about the New Zealand SAS role in Afghanistan, says the National Party Foreign Affairs spokesman Dr Wayne Mapp. "Her say nothing position on the SAS contrasts with those of former National Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

"Of course some matters need to be kept secret, but no-one's accusing John Howard of breaching national security.

"It appears the real reason Helen Clark won't talk about the SAS is because she doesn't want to be forced to explain how involved in the war on terrorism New Zealand really is," says Dr Mapp.

"The National Party stands with our people fighting the war on terrorism, when they go into danger they should have the full support of an informed public.

"It should not be left to people like Nicky Hager to tell New Zealanders what the SAS were doing in Afghanistan," Dr Mapp says.

"Mr Hager's been known to push a personal agenda.

"Rather than an honest account of SAS activities, this new book would appear to have been cynically timed to further Mr Hager's own political ends," says Dr Mapp.

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