Wednesday, 1 September 2004
Dunne: Time for Goff to come clean on Taiwan
United Future leader Peter Dunne is calling on Foreign Minister Phil Goff to come clean on the New Zealand Government’s
dealings with Ministers of the Taiwan Government.
This follows the indication this week from the Government that it would not welcome a visit next week by a Taiwanese
Minister to attend a meeting of the New Zealand-Taiwan Business Council.
Mr Dunne said “Mr Goff told the House during Question Time today that New Zealand has only cultural and economic, but
not political, ties with Taiwan.
“Well, that’s not correct as Mr Goff ought to recall he was a member of the Parliament that voted a few years ago to
congratulate the President of Taiwan on his election to office.
“Mr Goff is also claiming that New Zealand has no view on which Minister comes to New Zealand, yet his own Ministry of
Foreign Affairs told the Taiwanese that perhaps a vice-Minister would be a more suitable visitor.
“It’s time for Mr Goff to own up, to admit that New Zealand’s foreign policy towards Taiwan is dictated by Beijing, and
to stop pretending that he is pursuing an independent sovereign line,” said Mr Dunne.
ENDS