Burton ticks off Green MP for risking soldiers' lives

Green MP Keith Locke was yesterday told to stop asking about matters that could put lives at risk when he clashed with Defence Minister Mark Burton.

Mr Locke, a persistent critic of New Zealand forces being sent abroad, wanted to know about the rules of engagement for Special Air Service troops in Afghanistan.

"I can't and will not comment," Mr Burton said at the foreign affairs and defence select committee hearing.

Mr Locke: Why not?

Mr Burton: To do so is potentially to put New Zealand lives at risk.

He said Mr Locke was asking him to disclose information which could be used against defence staff.

"These are the rules by which we send men and women into harm's way. You are asking me to give information to those who may well want to use it ... to tell them what the limitations on action might be of our personnel when they are in a deadly situation."

Mr Locke persisted, asking about comparisons between American and New Zealand rules of engagement.

"I cannot and will not release any details of the rules of engagement," Mr Burton said. "I would be grossly irresponsible ... I really don't think you should be even asking the question."

Mr Locke drew another terse reply when he questioned the work of New Zealanders in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the Bamiyan province of Afghanistan.

Mr Locke said non-government organisations had complained about military involvement in humanitarian relief, quoting a British newspaper.

"I'm frankly saddened that your line of questioning is effectively critical of what is regarded around the world as the most successful PRT in Afghanistan," Mr Burton said.

"In the Bamiyan district we now have more women on the electoral roll than men ... we have a university, rebuilt and opened, with 50 per cent female enrolment in a country where that would have been unheard of two years ago."

Mr Locke asked if New Zealand defence personnel in Afghanistan had seen prisoners mistreated by Americans.

"Not to my knowledge. I would expect to have been advised if that had been the case," Mr Burton said.

He refused to comment on operational matters when Mr Locke questioned him about prisoners, saying: "In the relatively unlikely event of New Zealand SAS personnel being in a position of taking into custody and handing over prisoners, then we would require that is done in accordance with applicable international human rights laws."

- NZPA