New Zealand's support of the US

me | September 19, 2001 | Doug Loss

[Doug Loss]

A few days ago I posted an article from the New Zealand Press in which the NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark was quoted as saying NZ was withdrawing from the ANZUS pact and wouldn't support the US in its time of need. This engendered quite a response, mainly from outraged Americans.

However, I've also heard from Kiwis who said that the newspaper report wasn't accurate, the PM doesn't speak for them, and that the NZ people heartily support the US. Most of the Kiwis were polite in their messages :-), too.

Now that things have cooled down a bit I'd like to thank everyone from NZ who replied for their thoughts. We welcome your support, both moral and material. However, I hope you can soon put your house in order. Your PM is an international embarrassment to you.

[mrbluesky]

According to the CIA World Factbook 2001 "ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986)" That is what Ms. Clark was referring to. NZ has a great deal of its own problems right now, and does not have the resources that the US does. She did however state that NZ would support the US in any way it could. I am an American living in New Zealand, and I thought I would get the facts straight.

[skraeling]

New in town? Or just changing your name again...

KiwiGirl

member since September 19th, 2001

[mrbluesky]

According to the CIA World Factbook 2001 "ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986)" That is what Ms. Clark was referring to. NZ has a great deal of its own problems right now, and does not have the resources that the US does. She did however state that NZ would support the US in any way it could. I am an American living in New Zealand, and I thought I would get the facts straight.

[skraeling]

You sure are busy changing your name.

Free-minded New Zealander

member since September 19th, 2001

 

[skraeling]

And another one?????????

ziggy7

member since September 19th, 2001

[Aaryn_015]

Thanks for that clear-up, mate, appreciate it. I'm just as patriotic about my country as any American is of his/her. No offense to anyone. Yarddog, you're right about the warship thing, but the thing is, and you probably won't really care, that the ships in question, were nucular powered or capable, and at this stage NZ was at it's height of anti-nucular policies. Surely Americans can't pass a judgement on Kiwis just for these events considering the sacrifices we have made for the world's trust!? I think that by the time this war has even kicked in fully, past ANZUS relations will be inconsiquential as America realises that NZ is with them just as they have been before. p.s Please do not make comments about international aid handouts(I can't remember who made this comment) as if America must be apeased to live a civilised life. Because it is offensive, and the US is NOT the hand the feeds the rest of the world.

[Kiwi and Proud]

Good to see there is less rabid Kiwi-bashing (apart from one or two ignorant people). Thanks for your clarification. PK

[Nuke'm Glowing]

LOL, I think we can let this thread die. Now just get rid of those idiots you have running the place before I can visit! We did it even though we endured 8 years of torture.

[super175]

There have been several threads about your stupid P.M. refusing to help and kind of waffling about to check the breeze before stating any support.

People are mad, rightly so.

[super175]

bump #29

[Kiwi and Proud]

No U.S. ship was refused port. It was the U.S. navy that refused to disclose whether they are carrying nuclear arms by their neither confirm or deny policy. So the crux of the ANZUS disagreement was not about being a good ally but about the U.S. objection to New Zealand's nuclear-free policy. We in New Zealand are pretty proud of our nuclear-free status. And thereafetr New Zealand was not allowed to play with Big Brother. As for your friend and his comment that we are all leftist, it is very easy to put labels on people. Besides what is wrong with the left ? In any democracy you have left and right and middle and all sort ... that is what makes a democracy great.

[Kiwi and Proud]

The threads started from a mis-informed article but people are so quick to condemn without checking the facts. We have already expressed our 100% support for the U.S. ... what more can we do for now ? Like all your other allies we are waiting for the next stage.

[NZ Citizen]

Living in NZ there are very few of us who do not have family members who fought (some of which lost their lives) in most of the major conflicts of last century, standing along side Americans, British, Australians and a multitude of other countries. The importance of this for NZers is evidenced by the rememberance of ANZAC day in our country. Being a young NZer myself and knowing what those before me sacrificed for the freedom we all experience when the call is made I will again stand alongside the rest of the world in this war regardless of what my Prime Minister says. By not doing so would be to deny the legacy left to us by those who fought for our future in wars past.

[yarddog]

I guess it is a little bit like the chicken or the egg but I am sure the Americans had a policy of not telling if their ships were nuclear armed way before NZ began its policy and since they knew the American position, they also knew it would in effect bar all U.S. Navy ships.

I have a real problem with liberalism or socialism. The problem is they are inherently evil. Not to say all liberals are evil but they must either be evil or mistaken.

the nuclear free zone is more than a little selfish too, although foolishly so. The idea is that by not allowing nuclear weapons you will not be attacked by them yet will still enjoy the benefits of being protected by the U.S., tho you would claim that you do not want the protection.

As far as cleaning toilets for the Japanese, I doubt you would be alive to even do that if not for the American Navy.

One more thing.

The U.S. either does or has fed the World. I know NZ is not a third world nation and probably exports mutton but much of the world would have starved without U.S. help.

[itwasntme]

Good on'ya!!!

[Hot Tabasco]

KiwiGirl, I have a good friend who lives in Wellington who is a member of your ACT party and I can sympathize with you on what is going on here. While I believe most of your countrymen do support the U.S. it is your PM Clark who is bringing on this anti-NZ sentiment from the folks here at FreeRepublic.

Unfortunately everyone here has strong feelings about the recent events but only a handful know the true facts about your political predicament (sp?). Specifically, that your country had so many different parties running for the last election that Clark won on only about 30% of the popular vote.(That % may not be quite accurate but the fact remains that Clark certainly did not have the majority of the country behind her).

Because your country had so many different political factions that could not come come to agreement on the important issues that truly affect your country, you are now saddled with a communist bitch who is willing to sell you out to the Chinese......

So I am pleading with all the FReepers here who are condemning New Zealand to please think out your comments about NZ before posting. To condemn the great folks from NZ who are part of our FR network is the same as outsiders condemning FReepers because of all the atrocities clinton committed.

There has not been one FReeping New Zealander here who has not shown solidarity with the United States and any criticism directed towards them as a result of their communist PM Clark is unfair......

[Hot Tabasco]

We are a most worthy ally.

Yes you are ziggy and I certainly appreciate your support. Unfortunately many folks here are not aware of the circumstances surrounding the election of your communist Clark and that is unfortunate. If it is any consolation to you, there are many folks here that do understand and certainly don't harbor any ill feelings against New Zealand. Thanks for your support!