12 July 2006

New Zealand Must Follow Tony Blair's Example And Send Zaoui Home

"With Tony Blair's government now in the process of sealing an agreement which would allow Britain to deport Algerians back to Algeria who have links to extremist organisations, New Zealand should now follow suit and send Ahmed Zaoui home under the same conditions,” says New Zealand First Associate Immigration Spokesman Peter Brown.

"We can end the expensive and protracted legal games which have allowed him to stay in this country at millions of dollars of taxpayer expense. With the farcical situation over his many appeals now destined to continue even further, we must avail ourselves of these recent developments and send him home now.

"Clearly Britain, like New Zealand, wants to be in a position where they can have the right to rid their country of those who have had links with extremist groups.

"Zaoui falls into this category and the way has now been paved for his return to his homeland.

"Mr Zaoui claims he wants to be reunited with his family. We want that too, we just want him to do it in his own country and not at the expense of the New Zealand taxpayer. We have clearly spent enough on Mr Zaoui’s case already", concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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