Demands Made For NZ Military To Withdraw From Iraq
Story and images by Selwyn Manning – Scoop Co-Editor
Approximately 300 people took to Auckland’s Queen Street Saturday as part of a global march for world peace. Calls were
made for New Zealand to withdraw military support for the ongoing U.S-led occupation of Iraq. Others cried for peace in
the Middle East and for an end to oppression against Palestinian people.
On Iraq, Green Party MP Keith Locke said: “"In the 12 months since, Bush, Blair and Howard's justification for the
assault has proven to be built on lies. There are no 'weapons of mass destruction' - other than those in the US arsenal.
"Yesterday in the House, Michael Cullen, speaking for the Prime Minister, admitted our army engineers in Iraq, as well
as doing reconstruction work, could be assisting British military patrols by repairing their Rigid Raider and Combat
Patrol Boats. For the sake of Iraqi sovereignty and the sake of New Zealand's reputation as a peaceful, principled
nation the Government should take the opportunity of the first anniversary of the Iraqi calamity to recall our troops,”
Keith Locke said.
Around 200 people protested in Wellington and hundreds more nationwide voiced their opposition to the tyrannical state
of global insecurity.
Images: Auckland, Queen Street – Midday Saturday March 20 2004.
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