"Senior MOD officials (strictly protect) tell us it was not until Finance Minister Michael Cullen pointed out in a subsequent cabinet meeting that New Zealand's absence from Iraq might cost NZ dairy conglomerate Fonterra the lucrative dairy supply contract it enjoyed under the United Nations Oil for Food program," the cable said. It said the prime minister "found a face-saving compromise" by sending non-combat engineers to be embedded with British forces. I'm rather surprised this article is nowhere to be found in the Herald or on Stuff. Cullen is of course correct in his assessment. So in spite of Labour's holier-than-thou rhetoric on Iraq, the only reason why they sent the NZ Army was to secure a contract. My god, if that isn't blood for money, I don't know what is. I believe a National govt. would've also sent NZ Defence Forces (depending on the make-up of the coalition), but I suspect their primary reason would be to help topple Sadam Hussain. However you feel about taking-out Sadam, it's a better reason than a Fonterra contract! And lets not beat around the bush, non-combat engineers = the New Zealand Army. These guys aren't civilians.
About me
- NX
- Interests: Politics, New Zealand
The catalysis for this blog was my dislike for the Clark'n Cullen Labour govt - particularly their transgressions during the 2005 general election & treatment of then opposition leader Don Brash.
However, I'm not anti-Labour & consider myself a political moderate. I'm looking forward to someday voting for a Labour Party which isn't all about 'tax and spend', is happy with NZ's current constituational arrangement (i.e. keeping the monachy), and isn't controlled by the unions.
I won't hold my breath.
I'm an avid reader of Kiwiblog.
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