NZ troops home from East Timor. We can do the same for Iraq, while protecting ourselves from Iraqi-sourced terrorism and 19th century militarism.
stuff.co.nz
< "New Zealand and Australia led the way in the formation of an international force of more than 11,000 military personnel from more than 50 countries."
Miss Clark said East Timor was now the 191st and newest member of the United Nations, but in 1999 its people lived in fear as their families and neighbours were murdered.
"Today's East Timor homecoming parade acknowledges the sacrifice and commitment of all those who were there between the earliest days in 1999 through to the celebration of independence in May of 2002," she said.
"For our small country there was the great sadness of five New Zealand servicemen losing their lives while on operational service in East Timor. They are in our thoughts today, and we honour their memory as we honour all those who have returned."
Miss Clark said the East Timorese president, Xanana Gusmao, had thanked New Zealand many times for its support.
"He asks us not to forget that East Timor will continue to need much support and goodwill. Its people are among the poorest on earth and the development task is huge." ...continued...>
english.peopledaily.com.cn <New Zealand would send armed troops to Iraq if the United Nations (UN) asked for help to clean up after a war, Prime Minister Helen Clark said Thursday.
After US Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the UN Security Council Thursday, the chances of a war with Iraq have risen to well above 70 percent, Clark told reporters gathered for Waitangi Day celebrations.
The United Nations would have to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of a war which would cause massive damage to the country' s infrastructure and kill up to 100,000 Iraqis, she said.
"Another 400,000 would be likely to be affected from disease arising from the breakdown of water and sewage systems."
She said a UN report had showed up to 1.5 million people would attempt to flee the country, probably towards the heavily mined border with Iran, which would bring more heavy casualties.
"You are dealing with a society where right now more than 49 percent of the households are totally dependent on food parcels for their survival," Clark said.
Last month New Zealand's defense forces were instructed to workout what aid could be given to Iraq after a war.
Clark told reporters that if the United Nations asks for armed peacekeeping troops similar to the operation in East Timor, New Zealand would "always put our hand up."
"We would join an international effort for humanitarian aid, for medical support and the kind of work our army engineers could do on infrastructure would be pretty important," Clark said.
She added New Zealand had a high international reputation for niche expertise such as mine clearing, and that could also be an option in the aftermath of a war.
The chances of war had now grown well beyond her earlier estimate of 70 percent, unless Iraqi President Saddam Hussein leftthe country, and unless Iraq came clean on a pattern of deception,Clark said.
She said America had produced what looked like "pretty good evidence of a pattern of deception to ensure the (United Nations weapons) inspectors couldn't find out where anything is." ... >
Let's get the show on the road. There's a big opportunity cost while everybody dithers and Saddam stalls.
Mqurice |
