Media Release
02 May 2005

Iraqi Case Another Shocking Security Lapse

Rt Hon Winston Peters has called on the Government to explain the shocking situation of how one of Saddam Hussein’s henchmen was allowed to wander about New Zealand without the Government or security authorities knowing about him.

This follows the Department of Labour today revoking the visitor’s permit of an Iraqi man whom the Minister describes as a diplomat in Saddam Hussein’s government.

“The Government must release this man’s name immediately and give New Zealanders some sort of assurance that the lax border security will be tightened up forthwith.

“It is incomprehensible that such an individual could slip into New Zealand without anyone becoming aware of him. The Immigration Service is clearly incompetent and the Minister obviously has no idea what his officials are up to.”

Mr Peters said the Ahmed Zaoui case had given a clear signal to the rest of the world that New Zealand was a soft touch for any international rat bag who could get on a plane here.

“How come that last week the Government was denying the presence of any former Iraqi officials in New Zealand, and yet this week, has suddenly found someone?

“It is obvious that nobody knows just who is arriving in this country and whether they pose a security risk,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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