MIXED REACTION TO NZ SAS DEPLOYMENT

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000259 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR NZ AF SUBJECT: MIXED REACTION TO NZ SAS DEPLOYMENT REF: A. 09 WELLINGTON 260; B. 09 WELLINGTON 223 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Political criticism of the GNZ's August 10 announcement to re-deploy the SAS to Afghanistan has been largely limited to the opposition Labour Party's criticism of the decision. This discord broke a long-held political convention in NZ of bipartisan support for foreign policy, especially overseas military deployments. Media reaction in the wake of the decision has generally been supportive of further contributions to Afghanistan, including sending back the SAS. More political reaction is expected when Parliament resumes on August 18. End Summary. Labour Party Opposes SAS Deployment -------------- ¶2. (U) The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Phil Goff, has pointedly disagreed with GNZ's August 10 decision to send SAS troops back to Afghanistan (Reftel A. Wellington 260). Goff has argued that SAS will not be as useful in Afghanistan as it was when the previous Labour Government first decided to deploy it in 2005. [Note. Goff was the Defence Minister in the previous administration when it sent the SAS into Afghanistan three times and, on every occasion, with the support of the then opposition National party. End Note]. ¶3. (U) Goff stated that New Zealand's past contributions have been more on the military rather than the development side for good reason: to rid Afghanistan of Al Qaeda strongholds. Now that this imperative has been largely met, Goff believes that the focus in Afghanistan should be on advancing development and good governance. He would, therefore, like to see a "better balance" in New Zealand's contribution. Goff asserts that New Zealand's efforts in Afghanistan will be more effective if the GNZ focus on its Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan Province and training Afghan police and army. Goff believes that the NZ PRT has proven effective in winning essential local support and promoting development and stability. Goff's Support Victim of Left Wing Pressures -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Labour's decision to support the continuation of the PRT, but oppose the re-deployment of the SAS, breaks New Zealand's long-standing political convention of bipartisan support for matters of foreign affairs, particularly overseas military deployments. Goff has condemned Prime Minister John Key for not providing to opposition parties, and indeed the country, any new information that justifies the decision to send the SAS back to Afghanistan. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The political imperatives behind Goff's posture are transparent to most Kiwis. He stands at the right end of the political spectrum of the left/center Labour Party. To maintain his tenuous grip on party leadership, Goff needs to convince the left wing of the Labour base that he represents their concerns. By opposing the SAS deployment and supporting the PRT transition with an emphasis on redevelopment and reduced military staffing, Goff hopes to ensure that he is still the Labour standard bearer at the next election, scheduled for 2011. End Comment. Newspaper Editorials Support Return of SAS -------------- ¶6. (U) Despite some negative op-ed commentary in the days leading up to August 10, editorial reaction after the announcement has been generally supportive of the GNZ's decision to re-deploy the SAS. The country's largest circulation daily, Auckland's New Zealand Herald, carried an August 12 editorial which began "John Key has acted correctly in sending Special Air Services troops back to Afghanistan so New Zealand can play its part in tackling the breeding ground of international terrorism." "However," the editorial continued, "to place operational or geographical restrictions on its role would be a mistake. Having been committed, it should be used where it can be most effective. If not, this country will be making a half-hearted contribution." ¶7. (U) Another prominent newspaper, Wellington's Dominion-Post, ran an editorial that supported re-deploying the SAS to "advance the cause of global security." However, the newspaper stated that "the extent and nature of any role played by New Zealand troops should be determined by this country in accordance with its interests. The SAS should not be deployed to curry favor with the US, no matter the blandishments or the increasingly unsubtle hints of US officials." Comment: Political Debate likely to Grow -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Post expects political debate over GNZ's decision to continue, and broaden, when Parliament returns on August 18. Green Party MP Dr. Kennedy Graham has requested from post copies of the publicly available 2008 State Department Country Terrorism Report. Graham has already publicly questioned the legal justification for foreign combat forces in Afghanistan (Ref. B. Wellington 223). Post therefore believes that the Greens are preparing to challenge the Government when Parliament reconvenes next week. It is less clear how strongly Labour will align itself with the Greens or revert to a more centrist emphasis on national unity in support of overseas deployments. We will continue to report as the debate evolves. End Comment. KEEGAN