Government firm on entry for Afghans

By JOHN ROUGHAN

The Government has reaffirmed its decision to accept 150 unscreened Afghan asylum-seekers, despite the suspicion that terrorists harboured by Afghanistan may be behind the attack on the United States.

In Parliament yesterday Acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton accused New Zealand First leader Winston Peters of racism for asking whether the offer still stood.

"I hope the people of New Zealand will not be ashamed by any xenophobic campaign against people of Middle Eastern origin," Mr Anderton said.

He had seen reports of abuses of people in New Zealand who were spat at because they looked Islamic, he said.

Parliament had a responsibility "not to lend comfort to racism, however disguised it might be".

It was "intolerable and an attack on the values New Zealanders hold dearest, to link someone to suspected terrorists on the basis of their nationality".

Mr Peters objected to the reference to racism. "I am asking a question about this country's security."

Mr Anderton replied that the refugees would undergo the normal screening procedures once they arrived.

"I appeal to New Zealanders to treat all people with dignity.

"If anyone says that's racist then if the cap fits, wear it."

At the request of Speaker Jonathan Hunt he withdrew the remark.

Act leader Richard Prebble said that the 150 asylum-seekers, who were trying to reach Australia by boat, would represent a security risk, since refugees were normally screened by the United Nations before they arrived here.

Mr Anderton said those offered places in New Zealand were mainly minors, women or family groups. National's Marie Hasler said there were "very genuine concerns among New Zealanders after the terrorist attack". Green MP Keith Locke said the 1500 Afghans in New Zealand were as law abiding as any other group.