New Zealand Young Nationals
PO Box 29-292
Christchurch
New Zealand

Hon. John Howard
Prime Minister of Australia
Canberra
Australia

Dear Sir

It is my sad duty to offer the sincerest apologies of the New Zealand Young Nationals for our Country's disgraceful lack of commitment to regional security.

We, as young leaders, realise the folly of cancelling our insurance policy and note with shame the added burden placed upon you, our closest allies, and others. We note also that in the two World Wars twice as many young servicemen and women, no older than most in our organisation, were killed than from your country. Surely we have paid the price in blood for being under-prepared before? Yet, as the region seemingly becomes more unstable, we are effectively disarming.

It is Young Nationals fervent hope that Australia realises that it is the actions of a minority government, without public consultation, that have turned our great nation in to the bludgers of the South Pacific. We hope that when a National led government returns in 2002 we can continue to be friends and look at ways to redevelop the options that we will have lost and once again become partners.

There is the suggestion that Helen Clark has killed the ANZAC tradition - for the sake of a proud history and a secure future let us all hope that is not the case.

Kind regards

Grant Tyrrell
Policy Chair New Zealand Young Nationals

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