Carter calls on NZ Government to offer assistance to Chile

Chris Carter has called on the New Zealand Government to offer assistance to Chile following the massive earthquake which struck that country in the early hours of this morning.

Labour’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson said New Zealand has a special relationship with Chile.

“We are partners in a free trade agreement and political links between the two countries are strong. President Bachelet has visited New Zealand, and former Prime Minister Helen Clark has a close personal relationship with both Bachelet and her predecessor, Ricardo Lagos. The growing Chilean community in New Zealand help reinforce our special relationship. Both our countries are at risk from seismic events.”

Chris Carter has acknowledged that President Bachelet is hopeful Chile can manage its recovery efforts with existing Chilean resources, however with fresh estimates that more than 2 million Chileans have been directly affected by the quake he believes that the scale of the damage may prove greater than initially thought.

“The true horror of Haiti’s earthquake took several days to unfold. Chile may well face the same challenges. Chile is a Pacific neighbour with a special relationship to New Zealand. l am urging Prime Minister John Key or Foreign Minister Murray McCully to get on the telephone immediately and offer any help we can to the Chilean authorities. I am sure such a gesture would be appreciated, even if our assistance was not ultimately needed.”

ENDS

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