NZ outside secret intelligence coalition
26.03.2003
By JOHN ARMSTRONG
New Zealand is not among the "coalition of the willing" who secretly
provide intelligence support to the United States for the war against Iraq,
Parliament was told yesterday.
Green MP Keith Locke tabled a US Congressional document showing that
intelligence gathered by the Waihopai communications station near Blenheim
was used in the Afghanistan war.
He asked the Prime Minister whether New Zealand was one of the countries
that do not want to be named as supporting the US-led coalition, but which,
according to the White House, are providing intelligence assistance.
Speaking for an absent Helen Clark, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen
replied "no".
He then referred MPs to a statement by the public watchdog overseeing New
Zealand's intelligence agencies, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and
Security, Laurence Greig.
He had affirmed that New Zealand retained "sovereign control" over its
intelligence-gathering capabilities.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3300550&thesection=news&thesubsection=general
