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DATE=2/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226791
TITLE=NEW ZEALAND / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=TREVOR HENRY
DATELINE=WELLINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL SUPPORT A UNITED 
STATES-LED MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ, SHOULD IT BECOME 
NECESSARY.  TREVOR HENRY REPORTS FROM WELLINGTON, THE CABINET 
MADE THE DECISION TODAY (MONDAY) TO SEND MILITARY FORCES TO THE 
GULF,  AFTER A CALL LAST WEEK FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON TO PRIME 
MINISTER JENNY SHIPLEY, SEEKING NEW ZEALAND'S SUPPORT FOR A 
MULTI-NATIONAL COALITION.
TEXT:  THE CABINET DECIDED TO SEND 20 MEMBERS OF THE S-A-S, OR 
SPECIAL AIR SERVICES, A HIGHLY-TRAINED FORCE OF COMMANDOS.  THE 
TEAM WILL BE USED TO CARRY OUT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, AS 
WILL TWO AIR FORCE ORION SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT.
PRIME MINISTER SHIPLEY SAID SHE HAS BEEN ADVISED THE TROOPS BEING
MADE AVAILABLE WILL BE IN LOW-RISK ROLES ONLY. 
MRS. SHIPLEY SAYS NEW ZEALAND WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A 
DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE IMPASSE WITH IRAQ:
                           /// SHIPLEY ACTUALITY ///
         IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S HOPE THAT BY SUPPORTING THE 
         COALITION IT WILL SEND A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE THAT 
         DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER IS DESIRABLE.  
         HOWEVER, IF THAT IS NOT ABLE TO BE ACHIEVED, EITHER BY 
         THE CURRENT INITIATIVE OR THE U-N'S ATTEMPTS AT THE 
         PRESENT TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT THE COALITION 
         TAKING ACTION.
                                 /// END ACTUALITY ///
MRS. SHIPLEY SAYS THE NEW ZEALAND FORCES WILL LEAVE AS SOON AS 
THEY CAN BE ORGANIZED AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE UNITED 
STATES AND AUSTRALIA.
THE OPPOSITION LABOR PARTY ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF BEING OVERLY
EAGER TO SEEK A MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ.
THE LEADER, HELEN CLARK, SAYS IT IS PREMATURE TO DEPLOY MILITARY 
PERSONNEL, AND INSTEAD EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO BACK THE 
EFFORTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL TO RESOLVE THE 
CRISIS BY DIPLOMATIC MEANS.
THE CABINET DECISION TO BACK THE UNITED STATES CAME ON THE SAME 
DAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO APPOINT FORMER PRIME MINISTER 
JIM BOLGER, AS THE NEW ZEALAND'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON.   MR. 
BOLGER WILL TAKE UP HIS NEW POST IN JUNE.
NEB/TH/FC
16-Feb-98 1:34 AM EST (0634 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.