New Zealand Must Provide Aid To Iraq
Thursday 17 Apr 2003 Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Foreign Affairs & Defence
Prime Minister Helen Clark must urgently clarify her Government's position on providing aid to Iraq, ACT Deputy Leader
Ken Shirley said today.
"Helen Clark and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff both claimed New Zealand would not provide any aid unless the
United Nations was put in charge of post-war Iraq.
"Following Helen Clark's insults to the United States, an apology was delivered to Washington, with a promise to
provide aid to US-administered Iraq. But it appears Clark is reneging on the promise made with her apology.
"This is no time for prevarication. The Iraqi people need aid now. We must stand alongside the United States and
provide humanitarian aid. It is simply the only moral thing to do. Why wait? If the people of Iraq are to rebuild their
country and enjoy a free and prosperous future, then they need help today, starting with clean water, electricity and
medical supplies.
"It is important that Clark clears this matter up before she travels to Europe to sip chardonnay with her Socialist
friends," Mr Shirley said.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.