Algerian ambassador cancels NZ trip plans

Algerian ambassador Soufiane Mimouni has abruptly cancelled a planned New Zealand visit, prompting the Green Party to raise doubts over its real purpose.

Green foreign affairs spokesman Keith Locke said yesterday that the ambassador would have used the occasion to pressure New Zealand to hand over Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui.

A death warrant has allegedly been issued in Algeria against Mr Zaoui.

"The abrupt no-show tends to confirm the view that he would try to convince the Government that Mr Zaoui was not a legitimate refugee," Mr Locke said.

"It is easy to see how officials got cold feet once questions were raised over the purpose of [the] visit.

"Mr Zaoui would face unwarranted persecution if he was forced to return to Algeria. There is no way we should allow that."

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said that he was told yesterday morning the visit was off. No reason was given.

"It may be rescheduled in another month or two," he said.

Mr Goff had earlier dismissed suggestions the February visit had anything to do with Mr Zaoui.

Even though he has won refugee status, Mr Zaoui has been in prison without charge since his arrival in New Zealand more than 13 months ago.

The focus of Mr Mimouni's visit was on the trade relationship, the spokesman said.

"He had requested the usual range of calls," he said. "He wanted a fairly standard sort of programme."

Meetings with Finance Minister Michael Cullen, Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton, Transport Minister Paul Swain, and Speaker Jonathan Hunt were on a shadow itinerary. Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel was not.

Political scientist Paul Buchanan said yesterday the Government could use a visit by a Jakarta-based ambassador to try to extract assurances Mr Zaoui would not be harmed if he was returned to Algeria.

Mr Zaoui, a professor of Islam, arrived in Auckland from Vietnam in December 2002. He arrived using fake South African papers, then told officials his real name and asked for asylum.

He has spent 12 years on the run after his party, the Islamic Front for Salvation, was ousted in a military coup.

- NZPA