Saturday, July 23, 2005
Kiwis in Iraq left on their own
The consequence of constantly deriding an ally, and even posssibly having a minister in your government make derogatory comments about it is that your ally will soon say 'push off. We've had enough of your crap'. And so the US may have done just this. What's happened?
"Kiwis working in Iraq have been stripped of vital security protection in a move some fear is retribution for New Zealand's refusal to support the American-led war".
How does the government respond?
"...the Government disputes it has been snubbed by the United States and will not intervene. It has repeated warnings that Kiwis should not be in Iraq and that those who go should expect little help if in trouble."
As the story says:
"An estimated 1000 New Zealand civilians are helping to rebuild the war-torn nation, working in an extremely dangerous environment with suicide bombings, gunfights and kidnappings".
And what does Goff say:
"New Zealand was recognised for its contributions but had no hand in deciding policy in Iraq. The Government would not be asking the US for an explanation".
The workers are not happy:
"...New Zealand has made a tremendous effort for its size, as usual, but to be treated like this, and dismissed as irrelevant and third rate is insulting to all Kiwis,...we are open to vastly increased risk from suicide bombers and car bombs. The Kiwis here are in huge danger now and we're supposed to be an ally...countries that had supported the war, including Australians, had retained the security protections".
And, 'the only conclusion we can draw is that it's payback for New Zealand's failure to join the war. The Yanks have done it to South Africans and the Swedish too.'
Yep. I reckon that's a good conclusion.
Link.
"Kiwis working in Iraq have been stripped of vital security protection in a move some fear is retribution for New Zealand's refusal to support the American-led war".
How does the government respond?
"...the Government disputes it has been snubbed by the United States and will not intervene. It has repeated warnings that Kiwis should not be in Iraq and that those who go should expect little help if in trouble."
As the story says:
"An estimated 1000 New Zealand civilians are helping to rebuild the war-torn nation, working in an extremely dangerous environment with suicide bombings, gunfights and kidnappings".
And what does Goff say:
"New Zealand was recognised for its contributions but had no hand in deciding policy in Iraq. The Government would not be asking the US for an explanation".
The workers are not happy:
"...New Zealand has made a tremendous effort for its size, as usual, but to be treated like this, and dismissed as irrelevant and third rate is insulting to all Kiwis,...we are open to vastly increased risk from suicide bombers and car bombs. The Kiwis here are in huge danger now and we're supposed to be an ally...countries that had supported the war, including Australians, had retained the security protections".
And, 'the only conclusion we can draw is that it's payback for New Zealand's failure to join the war. The Yanks have done it to South Africans and the Swedish too.'
Yep. I reckon that's a good conclusion.
Link.
