Attack on Libya

Press, 19 April 1986, Page 18

Attack on Libya

Sir—Shades of Nixon, supported, as ever, by treacherous Albion. New Zealand will do well to shy away, as have most west European States — France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands,

Spain and Greece — by refusing to support the mindless militarism of a distant nation gone berserk despite the restraining advice of rational statesmen. For some time the above-mentioned countries have been distancing themselves from the psychologically conditioned paranoia deliberately slanted to a war psychosis under succeeding administrations, each building up global disquiet and conflict. This maverick State recklessly and relentlessly subverts and strikes down burgeoning democracies in country after country, and in support of installed genocidal juntas and regimes waxing Croesus-rich on theft, torture, terror and mass starvation. For here lies the crux of terrorism, which is spawned by despairing peoples. Hence may New Zealand, also a “pipsqueak” country, as has been termed Libya, cease such roles by refusing to continue as a stooge and pawn, an accomplice after the fact in the interests of historically doomed empires. — Yours, etc.,

W. J. COLLINS. April 17, 1986.

Sir,—Perhaps the United States’ involvement of an ally (United Kingdom) in the recent bombing of Libya will sway those people still in doubt regarding our membership of A.N.Z.U.S. We have no electoral power to remove or support the United States President: our affairs should be conducted by the New Zealand Government, not dependent on the whim of an overseas leader. New Zealand should break all military ties with a country that can put the whole planet in jeopardy. —

Yours, etc., JUDITH ROBINSON. April 15, 1986.