ACT Offers Support On Nuclear Issue

Monday 20 Oct 2003 Richard Prebble Press Releases -- Foreign Affairs & Defence

ACT Leader Richard Prebble today welcomed National Leader Bill English's statement that New Zealand should invite United States warships to visit.

"ACT has been calling for some leadership on the nuclear issue. The US removed nuclear weapons from its warships a decade ago," Mr Prebble said.

"It is ridiculous to say that nuclear-powered ships are contrary to New Zealand's nuclear-free status.

"The Somers report found that nuclear-powered ships are safe and that Auckland hospital puts out more radioactivity each day than the entire US naval fleet.

"The majority of New Zealanders do want New Zealand to be in an alliance with our traditional friends Australia and the US. Prime Minister Helen Clark is using the nuclear issue to take our country on an isolationist course. New Zealand has never been more isolated.

"No matter what politicians say, trade and defence are linked. How does the Government explain why New Zealand is the only member of the Cairns group of agricultural free traders who does not have any prospect of a free trade agreement with the US?

"The nuclear issue is one that cry's out for real leadership. ACT is delighted that Mr English has endorsed ACT's policy that it's time to end this silly dispute with the US," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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