50pc want Zaoui to leave NZ

By CATHERINE MASTERS

Half of New Zealanders want Ahmed Zaoui out of the country despite the ruling by the refugee appeals body that he is innocent of terrorism - but they also want the Security Intelligence Service to go public with secret information it claims to have on him.

A Herald-DigiPoll survey found 50 per cent of people did not agree with the decision of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority that Mr Zaoui should be allowed to stay.

Twenty-five per cent thought he should be allowed to stay and 24 per cent said they did not know. Nearly 60 per cent of people want the SIS to reveal its information, although 57.8 per cent still said they trusted the SIS to make an accurate assessment of him.

Mr Zaoui arrived in New Zealand in December and has since been held in solitary confinement at Paremoremo prison.

Although thoroughly cleared by the appeals authority, he is now waiting until a decision is made on a Security Risk Certificate issued on the basis of secret information held by the SIS.

Former Pentagon analyst Paul Buchanan, an Auckland University lecturer, says the poll results reflect a public that is poorly informed.

He believes people condemn Mr Zaoui because he arrived on a false passport, but 80 per cent of refugees legally admitted into the country also probably arrived on fake passports.

"It's the bottom line of being a refugee. You can't go and ask for a passport from the Government that is trying to kill you off."

Mr Zaoui's lawyer, Deborah Manning, said although it was unfortunate so many people thought he should be sent away, she was pleased the poll results also showed a growing awareness about him.

"To have 25 per cent of people know enough about him to say we should allow him to stay is tremendous.

"Fortunately the course of justice is not determined by a random poll ...

"I also note 25 per cent don't trust the SIS and 60 per cent say they should have to reveal the information they have ...

"I would have liked to have seen a further question asking how long should we keep people in solitary confinement based on secret evidence."