No more troops to support the US occupation of Iraq

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

3 February, 2004



Anti-war activists will be outside of the beehive on Tuesday morning from

7:30-10:30am as Cabinet Ministers arrive. The message to the Labour

Government: 'No more troops to support the US occupation of Iraq.'



The Labour Government has announced that it will send another deployment of

troops to Iraq to replace those currently serving in Basra, Iraq at the end

of their six-month deployment. This deployment coincides with the first

anniversary of the invasion on March 20. Large rallies are being planned all

over the country on that day.



'Helen Clark has done a good snow job convincing New Zealanders that

soldiers are not part of the occupying force. But the French, Germans and

Canadians have all refused to go to Iraq precisely because they know that

they will be part of the occupation army.' said Valerie Morse, Peace Action

Wellington member



'Clark said she didn't support this war. But offering troops is most

definitely support. This war was illegal under international law, the

occupation is illegal, and the lies and deceit of Washington and London are

not fooling anyone. New Zealand cannot support these regimes who commit war

crimes in the name of democracy.'



Peace Action Wellington demands an immediate end to all New Zealand support

for the occupation of Iraq. This includes all troops, technology and

intelligence (provided through the Waihopai spybase).



ENDS

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