8 April 2013
NZ must work within UN framework on Korean crisis
John Key must clearly state that New Zealand will work through a United Nations’ framework to deal with the crisis on
the Korean Peninsula, rather than simply following the United States and Australia into any future conflict because they
are, as Key says, our ‘traditional allies’, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.
On his current visit to China the New Zealand Prime Minister suggested New Zealand would automatically follow the United
States and Australia into any future conflict on the Korean peninsula.
“John Key has got the framework totally wrong in his embarrassing attempts at tackling international diplomacy,” Dr
Norman said.
“New Zealand needs an independent foreign policy working within a UN framework, not a policy of ‘wherever Uncle Sam goes
so does New Zealand’.
“We should be working firstly to de-escalate the current Korean crisis. Having the New Zealand PM talking up the
prospects of war is not helpful to efforts to calm the situation.
“Secondly, in the event of an act of aggression by North Korea, the UN Charter gives South Korea the right to defend
itself and other nations the right to support South Korea. International law and the UN is the right framework for
dealing with this possibility, not some Cold War mentality of jumping on Uncle Sam’s white horse.
“Instead, we have the Prime Minister of New Zealand on a state visit to China talking about backing any United States
response to North Korea’s threats.
“New Zealand is trying to balance relationships with China and the United States, which is no easy task,” said Dr
Norman.
“Key’s blundering comments have made this harder. We shouldn’t be afraid of upsetting China or the US over issues of
principle, like human rights and democracy, but Key has blundered into a difficult diplomatic area while arguing an
unprincipled position.”
Note: Green Party MP Kennedy put forward a Member’s bill in 2009 - the International Non-Aggression and Lawful Use of Force Bill - that prohibits our country unlawfully engaging in armed force against other countries.
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