Anti-War March Presents Urgent Request to the Prime Minister

Following Saturday's Anti-war march GPJA has sent a letter to the Prime Minister which requests urgent responses on three issues.

Firstly we want the Prime Minister to publicly oppose war against Iraq "with or without" UN Security Council endorsement". In our view the government is talking itself into a corner over the war against Iraq. The United Nations Security Council must never be the final arbiter of our foreign policy and yet that is a recurring theme of statements from our Foreign Minister Phil Goff.

Secondly we want New Zealand troops withdrawn from Afghanistan. New Zealand has no place in a war fighting to help the US extend its influence over the oil reserves in the region no matter how many brownie points we get.

Thirdly there is a clear role for New Zealand in promoting a UN General Assembly resolution calling for urgent international efforts to support the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent state free from the brutal oppression of the Israeli army.

Helen Clark's comments about the Palestine/Israeli conflict being one of the root causes of terrorism must be followed by action. Already this government accepts that New Zealand was silent for many years at the atrocities conducted against the people of East Timor. It is utterly unacceptable to us that we also remain silent witnesses to the brutal, inhuman treatment of the Palestinian people.

Our committee is meeting next weekend and we have asked for a response before then.

John Minto GPJA Spokesperson

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