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PM Press Conference 9 September 2013: Syria | Americas Cup
PM Press Conference 9 September 2013: Syria | Americas Cup
By the Scoop Team
Today the Prime Minister met with reporters to discuss New Zealand's position on Syria, and the Americas Cup.
At this time, Key is non-committal about lending moral support to the US with regards to how to proceed on Syria. While he believes the Assad regime is almost certainly responsible for the chemical weapons attacks, Key said that the UN Security Council must show leadership on this issue. However, if the UN cannot come to a satisfactory resolution, New Zealand will consider working with the US.
When asked about how New Zealand's global position would be affected by their decision, Key said that New Zealand runs its foreign policy independently. He does not believe that the signing of the Washington-Wellington declaration earlier this decade ties New Zealand's hands to the US in this matter.
Concerns were raised that military action from New Zealand could imbalance power in Syria in favour of the opposition, many of whom are members of Al-Qaeda. Key said that whatever military action is taken is not thus far designed to provoke regime change. He believes that the West cannot stand by while thousands of people are dying in Syria.
Questions were asked about what winning the Americas Cup would mean for New Zealand. Key said that the subsequent hosting of the event would be a huge boost for Auckland and the New Zealand economy, both in terms of helping tourism but also advertising ourselves internationally. If the New Zealand team wins, the government will consider what support it's willing to provide for hosting, in terms of infrastructure and funding. This cost approximately $40 million last time.
Other questions were asked about the Pacific Islands Forum, fishing in the Ross Sea, police officer Simon Tate, loans for first-home buyers, and Tony Abbott's election. The conference ended with the Prime Minister being asked who the next Labour leader would be. "David Cunliffe," he said.
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ENDS
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