Young Nationals support change to anti-nuke legislation
"An affront to democracy and free speech" was how New Zealand Young Nationals Chairman Jamie Simpson described
protesters who prevented US Ambassador Swindells from delivering his important speech yesterday at Victoria University.
"The New Zealand Young Nationals are impressed with the clarity of Ambassador Swindells' analysis of the US/New Zealand
relationship and unequivocally back the call for New Zealand to revisit the nuclear issue.
"It is time for New Zealand to address the nuclear issue and look to the future.
"It is in New Zealand's interests to create a mutually beneficial trade and defence relationship with our 'very good
friends' and former ally, the United States. It is nonsensical that the barrier between our countries is a hysterical
confusion between nuclear power and nuclear weapons. The United States are asking the question, but Prime Minister Helen
Clark is not listening.
"It is a continuing slap in the face to an old ally and friend," Jamie Simpson says.
"The New Zealand Young Nationals continue to support the amendment of the nuclear free legislation that would allow our
allies' nuclear powered vessels to visit and will be prevailing this point upon the current National Party review on the
issue," Jamie Simpson concluded.