PM's anti-American comments will damage New Zealand

Anti-American comments made today by the Prime Minister will damage our relationship with the United States and affect the long-term interests of New Zealand, says National Leader Bill English.

"Whatever Helen Clark thinks of the war, it is her job to look after the long-term interests of New Zealand.

"Her loose comments today criticising the Bush Government and her speculation that the United States may never find Saddam Hussein are very unhelpful to New Zealand's relationship with the United States, particularly when the war is at such a tense stage. "This is just poll-driven anti-American talk because there has been a hard week in the war.

"Up until now the Prime Minister has been conciliatory in her comments about the United States, in order to maintain a positive relationship with the US. Today we are seeing that this was a smokescreen for her true opinion.

"The comments show a reckless disregard for our long-term interests and are a direct contradiction to the approach Helen Clark has taken regarding the war," Mr English said.

© Scoop Media