Yesterday, I pointed to an article in the Guardian suggesting that the UK thought that New Zealand might be sending further troops to Afghanistan, and asked whether there was something the government wasn't telling us. The National Party also noticed the story and asked the same question, and so today we have an official denial from the government:
A spokesman for Defence Minister Phil Goff said yesterday: "We are not considering any major contribution beyond our current commitments."
This is good to hear, and it matches the government's consistent position on the matter. But you still have to wonder how the British got the impression that that position was going to change. Has someone been making promises they can't keep...?
Perhaps the result of a Foreign Affairs Minister outside cabinet?
ReplyDeleteThe Guradian writer probably was briefed that Australia would be going and typed Australia and New Zealand without thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteWould Phil Goff care to define what "major" might mean in this particular context?
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