JOIN AN ANTIWAR PICKET TO 'WELCOME' THE FRIGATE TE KAHA BACK TO NZ AND DEMAND THE TE MANA BE RECALLED FROM THE GULF

The NZ Frigate Te Kaha is returning Thursday from its 8-month tour of duty in the Gulf. Among its duties was "escorting United States and coalition vessels through the Straits of Hormuz". Among the vessels escorted was a major military supply ship loaded with munitions for the war on Iraq.

The Te Kaha has been replaced by the Te Mana with the same duties. The chain of command for the vessels in the Gulf ultimately goes to the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln which is waging daily bombing raids on Iraq.

It is fatuous for Helen Clark to continue to claim that there is no connection between the US war on Iraq and "Operation Enduring Freedom" under which NZ helps the US in the so-called war on terrorism.

The US sees no distinction and the NZ frigates provide direct aid to the US war effort. Minister of
Defence Mark Burton will board the frigate when it stops at Kauri Point on its way to Devonport for the official reception.

Our protest must be equally warm. Come to the Devonport Naval Base 12.30pm, Thursday march 27.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT MIKE TREEN miket@pl.net, 0212547440

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