Bunkroom debates test loyalties

By ELEANOR BLACK

A messy, bunk-filled room in a central Auckland hostel makes an unlikely debating chamber.

Flag-covered backpacks and unfurled sleeping bags lie on beds, people sit cross-legged on the floor.

This is home to a cheerful group of international backpackers who now find themselves acting as unofficial ambassadors for their countries, as they try to sort through the avalanche of information they are getting from home.

The discussion is good-natured but fear lurks beneath the smiles.

This is the generation that will be called on to fight the unseen enemy. They will be affected by the war against terror, but they are not the ones making the decisions.

American Chris Booker, a 23-year-old from Boston, was staying at a hostel in Turangi when he heard the news that terrorists had attacked his homeland.

A family friend was on the second plane to smash into the World Trade Center.

While his family at home gathered to grieve, he watched hours of television coverage and checked the internet for updates.

"Initially I was unable to look at it objectively. Now I can't say I was surprised.

"As an American, I'm torn because I have a lot of angry sentiment towards my own country."

He admits he is not a fan of US President George W. Bush and he doesn't support military action, but he sympathises with those who want someone to pay for destroying their sense of security.

Israeli backpacker Guy Berger, 24, who cannot remember a time when he was not affected by terrorism, believes the Americans baying for blood are ill-informed and naive.

"They're acting like in the movies."

He doesn't believe the attack of September 11 was aimed at Americans, rather it was designed to cut ties between the US and Israel.

Hunting down Osama bin Laden and bombing Afghanistan is a simplistic, emotional response to a complex problem, he says.

"This is not a small matter. This is a very big issue and most people don't understand it."

He has been keeping up with events by reading a Hebrew newspaper and thinks Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein could be driving the assault on American confidence.

"It's not something unusual for me. This kind of thing happens every day in my country - maybe three times a day."

He is horrified by the speed with which the US Government is heading to war, while in contrast his American friend is impressed with their "patient steps".

Both are content to stay in New Zealand, where they feel safe.

"It's like schoolyard politics," says Mr Booker.

"Someone threw a rock at the big bully and now he's looking around the rest of the kids, who are hoping he won't come after them."

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