FBI squashes NZ link claim

By ELEANOR BLACK

An American congressman's claim that New Zealand is harbouring terrorists does not appear to be backed by official United States reports on terrorism.

Congressman Saxby Chambliss of Georgia told Newstalk ZB on Monday that New Zealand was one of 64 countries with possible links to Osama bin Laden.

"We do know that there are 64 countries, for example, where the bin Laden organisation has cells and active operating cells," said the chair of the House of Representatives subcommittee on terrorism and homeland security.

"New Zealand is one of those countries, but to say that we know that that organisation is extremely active in New Zealand and is a staging post for terrorist activities, I can't say that."

Congressman Chambliss also said that American terrorism experts had been visiting countries on the list and hoped to come to New Zealand.

Communications staff at the US State Department said a comprehensive report - Patterns of Global Terrorism - released by the department in April made no mention of New Zealand.

An FBI spokeswoman told the Herald that she had no knowledge of New Zealand appearing on any list of countries containing terrorists and if it did exist it would not be made public.

"I haven't heard of the list. If there were a list the appropriate authorities would probably be notified."

Congressman Chambliss' office was unable yesterday to find the source of his information.

The congressman himself was unavailable for comment.

The Weekend Herald revealed in August last year that police had investigated signs of an Afghan cell in Mt Albert suspected of conspiring to attack the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney.

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