Deep Insult to Anti-War Kiwis from Prime Minister

Over the weekend the Prime Minister dismissed the protests by tens of thousands of New Zealanders in 20 centres yesterday as "not as large" as those from previous issues in the past. This is an arrogant insult to the people who marched to denounce American plans to invade Iraq and to tell Helen Clark to get off the fence and actively oppose the war rather than acting like George Bush's flower girl.

Last evening a delegation from Global Peace and Justice Auckland delivered an open letter - on a 30m piece of callico cloth - to the Prime Minister's house in Mt Eden. (The PM refused to receive our delegation) The letter was signed by several hundred people attending an anti-war concert in Potters Park during the afternoon and carries the sentiments of the crowd at the morally weak refusal of the PM to speak out against the war.

The text of the letter is -

Dear Helen Clark,

Over this weekend millions of people around the world are gathering to protest against American plans to invade Iraq.

Many New Zealanders have joined these protests against a war which the World Health Organisation predicts will, directly or indirectly, injure or kill at least 500,000 Iraqi citizens.

We are deeply disappointed at your government's refusal to join the international condemnation of these war plans and instead send New Zealand naval and airforce equipment and personnel to join with the American led war machine in the Gulf.

We urge you to - Join the international community in condemning American war plans and work actively diplomatically and publicly to oppose them Withdraw the New Zealand frigate and orion aircraft from the Gulf region Initiate the calling together of the United Nations General Assembly in urgent session to act on this international crisis

Yours in peace and determination,

John Minto for the GPJA Committee

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