NZ SAS: Complicit in torture and murder

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

9 March, 2004





Helen Clark's announcement that 50 SAS will be deployed to Afghanistan only days

after Human Right Watch condemned the United States for torture of Afghani

people is cause for extremely grave concern.



'NZ SAS are serving in covert missions including directing bombing raids and

conducting surveillance for US military. There is a NZDF officer stationed at

Bagram Air Force Base, where torture of prisoners is believed to have occured.'

said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie Morse



'New Zealand is deeply involved in the brutal occupation of Afghanistan which

seeks to legitimate a US-puppet regime.'



'New Zealand has lost any credibility as a peacekeeper. By sending elite combat

troops the government is clearly illustrating that it will do whatever is

necessary to appease the United States.'



'New Zealand has a reputation and long history of supporting human rights and

international law. Helen Clark clearly cares nothing about either of these when

they stand in the way of a free-trade deal with the US.'



'This government has deployed more troops to US Wars in the last two years than

any government since Vietnam. Most of them have been sent in secret.'



Peace Action Wellington demands an immediate and unconditional end to ALL New

Zealand support fo rhte so-called 'War on Terrorism'



ENDS

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