10. Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Will he, as part of the Government’s review of the potential future role of the New Zealand Special Air Service in Afghanistan, seek a legal opinion from relevant Government departments on whether any such deployment would be consistent with international law, and in particular the Charter of the United Nations; if so, will he seek leave to table any such advice before the House in advance of any Government decision?
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
There is no such review as the member described.
Dr Kennedy Graham Link to this
How can the Minister then assure this House and the country that our defence forces are acting lawfully overseas, if he does not have the assurance of such a legal opinion?
The New Zealand Government always ensures that its New Zealand Defence Force deployments are made pursuant to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the New Zealand Defence Force always acts in accordance with the requirements of international law.
Can the Minister confirm the Prime Minister’s statement that any deployment by the SAS into Afghanistan would occur only if New Zealand were confident there was an exit strategy for the coalition forces; if so, does the Minister have that confidence?