Future of Kiwis in Iraq with weapons inspectors unknown

6.00pm

The future of 12 New Zealand defence personnel in Iraq is unknown as American president George W Bush warns the moment of truth is approaching over war with Iraq.

The New Zealanders have been providing logistical and medical support for the United Nations weapons inspections team since late last year and are working for the United Nations, Defence Headquarters in Wellington said today.

However, neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would say if the New Zealanders, who are providing medical and communications support for chief weapons inspector Hans Blix's teams, were about to leave Iraq.

Following a meeting between leaders from England, Spain and America yesterday, Mr Bush said tomorrow would be a "moment of truth for the world" after Iraq president Saddam Hussein had failed to respond to numerous United Nations demands to destroy his weapons of mass destruction.

The 12 New Zealand defence personnel are based in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, but defence spokesman Wing Commander John Seward said it was not known where they were.

"It is the UN who is responsible for all aspects of their employment including accommodation, transport, safety as well as contingency planning for emergencies and this includes evacuation plans," Mr Seward said.

"Some of them travel with the inspectors."

Mr Seward said he could not comment on whether there were concerns for their safety or if the New Zealand Government had asked for them to be withdrawn.

"Let's put it this way. They are employed by the United Nations," Mr Seward said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an advisory for people not to travel to Iraq and for New Zealanders in the country to get out.

MFAT spokesman Brad Tattersfield said three New Zealanders were working in Iraq for a United Nations oil-for-food programme, one was part of a Norwegian non-government organisation on a fact-finding visit, and one was there as a human shield.

He said any New Zealanders in Iraq should register with the New Zealand embassy if they did not intend to leave.

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Iraq