Iraqi blood on our hands

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

12 August, 2003



'The government's announcement today that an engineering detachment of 

61 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be deployed in late September 

to work alongside the United Kingdom forces in Iraq confirms that New 

Zealand will be part of the army of occupation.' said Peace Action 

Wellington spokesperson Valerie Morse

 

'Only last week, the US Commander in Chief of Land forces in Iraq, Lt. 

General David McKiernan stated unequivocally that the war is not over. In 

this context, our troops will be part of the occupation force.'

  

New Zealand Defence Force Chief Bruce Ferguson has also confirmed that the 

NZDF "engineers" are soldiers first and foremost and are authorised to use 

force. 

  

'Tragically, Helen Clark is fooling the New Zealand people by saying that 

they will be well regarded by the Iraqi people. It is clear from the 

resistance in Iraq that the population wants the occupying army to leave 

immediately.' 

  

'New Zealand could be providing desperately needed medical supplies to the 

hospitals in Iraq, rather than contributing to the United State's occupying 

force of 150,000.'

  

'There are some fundamental questions left unanswered. Why are we sending 

military to serve in a war our government condemned only months ago? Why 

are we sending engineers to a country with one of the most well educated 

populations in the world? New Zealand does not want to be a part of George 

Bush's war-mongering.'

  

Peace Action Wellington calls on the NZ Government to cancel its offer of 

troops to Iraq immediately. 

  

ENDS

  

For more information please contact Valerie Morse (04) 383-9315 or 

valerie.morse@paradise.net.nz

Home