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Key Points When Lobbying MP's and Others on:

Revised, improved and expanded from an interview with Murray McCulloch,
MP and National Spokesman on Defence and Foreign Affairs on Oct 16, 2006

by Larry Ross, Secretary/Founder, NZ Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association, October 17, 2006

1. The Benefits To New Zealand of Being Nuclear Free
   
   These are best summed up by Alan Brash, former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. He said in 1992:
   
   “Having spent many years of my working life visiting countries in all continents of the world, I can say with complete confidence that the total anti-nuclear policy of New Zealand has done more for creating international goodwill toward this country than any other thing in our history. Because of it, New Zealanders are greeted with friendship and respect everywhere. Because of it, our “green image” is enhanced and trade relations increased. Because of it, the tourist attraction of this country is increased. Because of it, our international security is far greater than it would be if we became an armed camp. If the policy is changed it will be a serious blow to the international friendship and goodwill on which alone real security can be built.”
   
   From pg 71 of book: “Saving Trees – Stopping Wars” W.J. Foote (Glen Press)
   
   
2. The Disadvantages of losing our nuclear free status

(a)  Loss of multiple benefits (above) in the areas of New Zealand trade, tourism, international standing and influence, defence, friendship and removing the “nuclear free” from our clean green image. No longer would New Zealand be seen as a 'shining star' in the Southern Hemisphere or a 'Beacon of Hope' in a nuclear mad world, and a leader in the field of nuclear disarmament. It would be seen as a state that had capitulated to what is widely seen as one of the most corrupt, belligerent and dangerous regimes in American history. 

(b)  Specific security losses if NZ forfeits its nuclear-free status, then deepens it's military alliance with the U.S. nuclear weapon state. Possible terrorist targets in NZ could be U.S.  ships and their NZ ports, U.S.  bases, particularly U.S. spy or targeting bases, properties etc. Also in larger wars, NZ could be targeted as a nation, because we would be seen as an involved U.S. ally in U.S. wars against predominately Islamic states. That U.S. warships 'may or may not be' equipped with nuclear weapons, would be an added targeting incentive. If a local war escalated to nuclear weapons use, then became global, an involved NZ could become a target. Also nuclear ship accidents, or terrorist attacks on any nuclear installation, could release radioactivity that could kill people as well as destroy our agricultural industry. A so-called 'deterrent nuclear defence of NZ by the U.S. ' increases the likelihood of attack in a war situation. A nuclear defence acts more like a 'lightning rod' than a protection for New Zealand .

(c) If NZ's nuclear free laws are dropped and NZ develops a stronger military alliance with the U.S. , it is more likely to support U.S. wars, whether or not such wars are illegal, unjustified, very expensive and threatening to NZ. It is our colonial heritage to militarily support our major partner without question, without considering NZ's real interests, and without serious consideration of an alternative role for NZ.

     3.  A 'NZ Alternative Defence Group' could be established to develop and evaluate various NZ defence strategy proposals. Such as NZ becoming more of a peacemaking neutral state, helping prevent or resolve conflicts. We could propose solutions, or offer our services to help develop solutions to conflicts, or as a venue for mediation and peacemaking negotiations, as we did for the  Bougainville conflict.

If nuclear war happens as a result of Middle East or future conflicts - and if it is mainly a Northern Hemispheric war - NZ is more likely to survive if we go on record beforehand as being prepared to undertake a humanitarian or neutral “Red Cross” role for any survivors of a northern hemispheric nuclear war - regardless of country or religion of the survivors. Basically we would have to think about and prepare for the worst eventuality and develop a plan to cope constructively with such a global disaster. Given the many warnings and indicating factors, this action is warranted in today's exceptional circumstances.

    4.  “U.S. War With Iran”. A Google search showed 38 million articles on this subject. A “ U.S. Nuclear War With Iran” search showed 28 million articles.

The articles show top Republicans, ex-administration people, well-known nuclear specialists and commentators, who have warned about U.S. plans for a war on Iran . Many have predicted it will be a sudden nuclear strike in line with the Bush Administration's new 'Pre-emptive nuclear war doctrine against both nuclear and non-nuclear states' President Bush re-enforces this belief by often stating "all options are on the table".   in regards to Iran . This is understood to include the nuclear option. It's the one overwhelming U.S.  military advantage it has if they embark on another conflict against a much larger, better equipped foe, when it is already bogged down with existing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .

    5.   Likely Consequences of War with Iran.

If a war is nuclear and comprehensive, there is likely to be 1 to 3 million killed in the first few hours, with more to follow. It could easily escalate to global nuclear war involving some of the other 8 nuclear weapon states, and involved allies such as 'coalition-of-the-willing' states. Total nuclear weapon stockpiles, or part of them, could destroy all life on earth many times over. If the war remains conventional, it could still result in mass bombing, great devastation and a great increase in radicalisation of Islamic peoples and antagonism towards the U.S.

There will be more resistance to what is increasingly perceived as an unprovoked Crusade by Western Fundamentalist Christianity against Islam using 'Wars on Terror' as their false justification, and 'Freedom and Democracy' as their false motivating war cry and slogan. 

   6.  Lack of Any Real Justification for War with Iran.

(a) IAEA inspections report Iran has no nuclear weapons or installations to make any. (b) Iran is following the rules of he NPT by enriching fuel. It is legal and permissible. (c) Even if Iran did decide to make NW, the CIA says it could take 10 years (d) If Iran did withdraw from the NPT to make NW, it would be joining 8 other NW states. It would not represent any greater threat than the rest. It would not justify starting another illegal, unjustified war that would kill thousands, destroy billions in property and severely disrupt if not end oil supplies for the foreseeable future.(e) Iran knows that either Israel or the U.S. could annihilate Iran with a fraction of their nuclear weapons arsenals now surrounding Iran. Iran is unlikely to take any action which might invite such a catastrophe. Thus the idea of "wiping Israel off the map" is little more than a ridiculous joke or crowd-pleasing slogan.  Iran is not a nuclear threat, or even potential nuclear threat to any other nation  

   7.  How the U.S. Might Start a War With Iran and Fool the World.

 A Google search shows 5,700,000 articles on "False Flag Operations". It is hoped that people will verify this themselves.  Basically “False Flag” operations have been used by Governments to start wars since about the year 1,600. They usually consist of creating or staging a supposed terrorist act, usually against their own territory or people, then blaming the chosen enemy for this attack, and using it as a justification for starting a war against that enemy. Hitler's burning down of the Reichstag in 1933 and blaming terrorists was one of  histories most famous and successful “False Flag” operations. Hitler used it to justify installing his Nazi dictatorship and taking Germany into a series of wars culminating in World War II with 50 million dead. The alleged North Vietnamese 1965 Gulf of Tonkin  attack on U.S. destroyers was a “False Flag” operation to justify escalating the Vietnam war and bombing North Vietnam . Most famous was the 1962 "False Flag" Pentagon plan against Cuba approved by all Pentagon military heads, but rejected by President John Kennedy.( People can verify by Googling “Operation Northwoods”) 

 Many well-known and some prestigious US commentators believe the Bush Administration is heading down this road and will stage a “False Flag” operation, blame Iran and then use that to justify making war on Iran, even a nuclear war.

   8.   Should We Warn New Zealand ?

I feel it is important to warn the  New Zealand public, politicians and others about this prospect, and similar contrived wars in the future, so that people and nations are not fooled into supporting such wars. We should still maintain good relations and trade with the U.S. , but then act only in the area of humanitarian aid and a peacemaking role if possible. Hopefully such a war would not escalate into a global nuclear catastrophe. It is preferable that NZ not be swept into such conflicts, now or in the future and not suffer very dire consequences and be unable to function. If not warned and prepared, NZ could believe a U.S. “False Flag” operation aimed at incriminating Iran , join the U.S. in the pre-planned war and embark on a series of counter-productive disastrous actions.

   9.   An enduring policy role for New Zealand would be to perform a peacemaking role if possible, before a threatened conflict, stay out of such conflicts and survive if possible, to play a constructive role as detailed in point (3) on Alternative Foreign and Defence Policy for New Zealand.

Larry Ross authored the above Lobby Points. Born in1927 and reared in the U.S. for 8 years, he then moved to Canada with his family. In 1962 he moved to New Zealand .

He supports U.S. traditions and values, such as the U.S. Constitution. However he is critical of U.S. policies, wars, and the Bush Administration. He wants the American people to continue and prosper without war. He believes war is an obsolete and unnecessary failure, and that preparing nuclear and other WMD carries with it a growing risk of human extinction. Also, that with benign U.S. leadership, humanity could achieve a just, stable, secure and prosperous world. With no war there would be more creative energy and resources to solve real human problems such as global warming, growing population and dwindling resources. He founded the New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association in 1981 and continues to campaign for this.

Larry Ross is available to talk to all political parties and groups on these subjects and can be reached at: NZ Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association, P.O. Box 185451 , Christchurch , and email: nuclearfreenz@lynx.co.nz    Phone: 03-337-0118.  

For information on these and related subjects see: http://www.nuclearfree.org.nz

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Donations Needed for: Keep New Zealand Nuclear Free Campaign

This includes lecture tours, lobbying, research into all aspects of nuclear weapons, war and war threats, office costs, administration, etc. Donations can be made by cheque, or Bank Authority (1) once-only donation or (2) regular supporting donations.

New Zealand Campaign Phone: 00 64 03 337 0118

Name of Secretary/Founder: Lawrence F J. Ross

Address: P.0. Box 18541 , Christchurch New Zealand

Bank Account Name: NZ Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association

Account Number: 11-7892-0353072-37

Bank name: ANZ Banking Group New Zealand Ltd

Bank Address: 101 Seaview Rd. New Brighton , Christchurch , New Zealand