Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
16 March 2018
Statement on nerve agent attack in UK
New Zealand supports the joint statement made by the leaders of the UK, US, Germany and France on the nerve agent attack
in Salisbury, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“Outrage at the brazen and callous use of chemical weapons in a UK town is fully justified. This attack left three
people seriously injured, including a police officer who assisted at the scene, and potentially threatened many more,”
said Jacinda Ardern.
“This incident is a serious affront to accepted global rules and norms. The use of chemical weapons in any circumstances
is totally repugnant, and New Zealand is deeply disturbed at any use of chemical substances banned by the Chemical
Weapons Convention.
“New Zealand fully supports the sovereign right of the UK to take the action it considers appropriate in response to
this violation of international law on its territory. We stand in solidarity with the UK alongside its other partners.
“Despite the further details that have emerged since the NZ government statement earlier this week, and despite the
international outcry, the Russian reaction has been cynical, sarcastic and inadequate.
“There is no plausible alternative explanation hitherto, that this came from anywhere other than Russia, and no doubt
whatsoever that Russia has serious questions to answer,” said Jacinda Ardern.
ends