Robson On Politics: Iraq - The world says no to war

By Mat Robson MP

Hans Blix & Mohamed El Baradei have given a clear message in their Security Council statement: weapons inspections are working. Their message has been bolstered by the people of the world (remember them President Bush?) who in their millions said No War! whether in French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese or English. The manufactured links between Iraq and Al Qaieda, despite the hostility of Bin Laden to Saddam Hussein, have fooled no-one. New Zealanders on the weekend added their voice to the antiwar message. This war is not inevitable.

Have your say: my poll on weapons of mass destruction is now at http://www.robsononline.co.nz Vote today!

From chemical weapons to Iraq

Bob Rigg is a New Zealander who was senior editor for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, resigning last year when OPCW and its head, Jose Bustani were sabotaged by the Bush Administration.

In "International law or US hegemony: from chemical weapons to Iraq" he describes how an effective international system to reduce the threat from weapons of mass destruction was gutted.

"[I was] inspired by the feeling that I was participating in a historically unique disarmament and non-proliferation venture. The essence of the OPCW resides in its verification regime, which gives the OPCW Secretariat far-reaching [verification] powers. See: http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article.jsp?id=3&debateId=77&articleId=876>

What do Progressives want? Jobs!

More jobs means fewer demands on the public purse to meet the costs of unemployment, crime, ill-health and under achievement.

If New Zealand had averaged just 1 per cent higher growth a year than it managed since 1970, that would have today delivered $175 a week extra in the pocket of the average worker. It also would have delivered $3,700 million more a year for the health system, or a 50 per cent rise in spending per New Zealander on health services. and it also would have allowed us to plough an additional $4,200 million a year into the education system, or $3,500 additional spending per student.

The Progressives aim in government is to lift economic performance though partnership with our communities and improve the social wage. Jim Anderton's and Matt Robson's speeches at the 2003 Parliament opening are on the front page of: http://www.progressive.org.nz

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Progress on our Cornerstone Commitments In the election we listed our Ambitions for New Zealand:

Full employment

Free education and healthcare

Support for families leaving no one behind

Strong, safe communities

Investment in New Zealand

In this Budget round, Jim Anderton and I are working with our Labour Colleagues to implement our Cornerstone proposals.

Stopping a repeat of the RSA murders The new Sentencing Act is producing tougher sentences. Now it is crucial to get on with early intervention programmes to ensure we don't keep creating the William Bells of this world. See: http://www.robsononline.co.nz/matters/williambell.asp

Four weeks leave With nearly 1,000 votes cast the result is 76% in favour of four weeks minimum and only 24% against.

Anderton and Robson in Hamilton Thursday night We will be meeting Progressive supporters on Thurs 20th at 8pm in the Fairfield Room of the Novotel Tainui Hotel in Alma Street. Waikato readers are invited to attend. _____________________

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