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National Party Nuclear
Policy from Larry Ross, NZ Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association, May 18, 2004
2004-05-18 Sir, (1) Gerry Brownlee, Deputy Leader, said scrap New Zealand's nuclear free law. (2) Don Brash's comment to visiting US senators, that he would drop New Zealand's nuclear ban "by lunch time". (3) Simon Power is ranked number 3 in the National Party and is their spokesman on defence and foreign affairs. He said to a National Party conference: "without reservation we will support our close allies, Australia, the United States and Britain, when and wheresoever our commitment is called for". (4) In it's long-delayed report on New Zealand-US relations, chairman Wyatt Creech recommended that NZ open our ports to US nuclear warships, but\maintain a nuclear weapons ban. National's top thinking on nuclear issues is narrow, blinkered, dangerous and poorly informed. In summary it is the US right or wrong , "when and wheresoever our commitment is called for". This can lead to endless and very expensive military commitments for wars most New Zealanders don't believe in, such as the Iraq war. We could be locked into wars that become nuclear. Other risks include becoming a nuclear target, nuclear ship accidents in our ports, contamination of our food products, terrorist attacks, and loss of sovereignty. Our international influence and reputation would drop, including the trade and tourism attracted by New Zealand's courageous and independent nuclear-free stand. These are some of the possible results if a National government makes New Zealand an unquestioning 'cannon fodder' colony. Better to "Keep NZ Nuclear Free". Larry Ross, |
