March in opposition to the NZ Government's Pacific Island Incursions

30 November 2006 From: Peace Action Wellington

Peace Action Wellington (PAW) opposes the recent incursion of New Zealand troops and cops into Tonga, and New Zealand's role as increasingly viewing itself as the 'policeman' of the entire South Pacific.

The New Zealand Government's continued meddling as 'Sheriff of the Pacific' has prompted PAW to hold a march and street theatre in Wellington on Friday 1 December, leaving Manners Mall (Cuba Mall end) at 12 noon and marching to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Headquarters in Stout Street.

"Goff, Clark and Peters will have us believe that New Zealand troops are engaged in peacekeeping, yet the question seldom asked is whose peace is the NZDF keeping and whose interests are they really serving," said Peace Action Wellington member, Valerie Morse.

"In Tonga New Zealand troops and cops have been doing nothing less than solidifying the corrupt regime of a feudal king."

"These military incursions are really just thinly veiled neo-colonial invasions intended to ensure that Pacific Island nations adhere to a global neo-liberal agenda to serve the wealthy nations of the Pacific rim," said Valerie Morse. "An agenda that includes the privatisation of state assets and the ongoing push to secure free trade deals - where the free flow of capital and commerce reigns supreme over the well-being of citizens."

In the Solomon Islands New Zealand is assisting an Australian multinational mining corporation secure its access to the lucrative gold mine on the island of Guadalcanal, all under the benign sounding Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

"Peace Action Wellington demands an end to all New Zealand military invasions in the Pacific. We support self determination for the people of the Pacific that includes freedom from Western capitalist intervention," concluded Valerie Morse.

ENDS

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