National Party criticised over promise to follow allies

1.00pm

Sending New Zealand troops to wherever allies wanted was "an appalling abdication of responsibility by the National Party," Defence Minister Mark Burton said today.

He also accused the party of trying to "retreat" from that position now the heat had gone on.

National has come under criticism after its defence spokesman, Simon Power, said a National government would send New Zealand troops wherever its traditional allies wanted them to go.

"Without reservation we will support our close allies, Australia, the United States and Britain, when and wheresoever our commitment is called upon," Mr Power said in a speech to the party faithful.

He now says this was not party policy and that National would release its defence policy later this year.

Mr Power received a rebuke from his leader, Don Brash, at the weekend for indicating New Zealand would cede defence sovereignty.

"It's certainly not my view, any sovereign country has to retain a right to say when they send troops to war," Dr Brash said.

Act defence spokesman Ken Shirley also said he was "surprised" by the comments.

"I don't believe that is National Party's policy, I certainly hope not. We are an independent sovereign state and we shouldn't say that we will blindly jump when someone tells us to as suggested."

Mr Power today told National Radio the "backdrop" to the speech was that New Zealanders did not live in a "benign strategic environment" as asserted by the prime minister.

"But I reiterate they're in no way, shape or form National Party policy."

Mr Burton said today Dr Brash was now "completely retreating" from his position on Iraq of only six weeks ago.

"I'm afraid it doesn't cut for Mr Power or Dr Brash to now retreat from what is a substantial and considered statement by a senior frontbench spokesperson simply because the heat's gone on.

"I'm afraid that's the reality of government. You don't get to have secret policies behind closed doors as we've seen already with Dr Brash and the nuclear policy and suddenly retreat from them when the heat goes on.

Mr Burton believed this demonstrated the stark choice between the Labour-led government and "the sort of future" under National.

The New Zealand contingent of engineers in Iraq -- as part of the United Nations-mandated humanitarian aid programme, not the American-led occupation force -- were in a dangerous situation.

"We as a government have to make a decision to put men and women into harm's way. This is not a decision to in any way, shape or form abdicate to anybody else and this is precisely what Mr Power was saying in this speech," Mr Burton said.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said today Dr Brash and Mr Power should stop "thinking out loud" about defence and foreign policies.

Mr Power's espousing of a "blind obedience" to the United States and Britain had been rightfully abandoned after World War 2.

Dr Brash could not keep changing positions over nuclear ships and the war in Iraq.

"If you adopt a position over foreign policy, you should at least have the consistency to stick to it."

Mr Peters said Dr Brash and Mr Power were showing "inexperience and naivety" that had the potential to embarrass New Zealand internationally.

- NZPA