Resolution or not, no more troops for Iraq

Green MP Keith Locke has warned against the Government sending more troops to Iraq, following the adoption of the new resolution 1546 by the United Nations Security Council.

"I hope the Government rejects any call for extra New Zealand troops following the UN vote," said Mr Locke, the Green Party's Foreign Affairs spokesperson.

"While the occupying force may be technically more legitimate under the new resolution, the Iraqi people will remain suspicious of it.

"It is unlikely that the unelected Iraqi Interim administration will exercise any real power over the US-led force.

"New Zealand should not be putting troops on the ground but pushing for a full transfer of sovereignty to Iraqis.

"It won't be easy to get the US commanders to give up real power despite provisions in the UN resolution for a transfer of sovereignty.

"It is fanciful to think that US troops are suddenly going to treat the local people with respect, or cancel the hundreds of millions dollars worth of business contracts unjustly handed out to American firms," said Mr Locke.

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