KEY POINTS:
Trade, counter-terrorism and instability in the Pacific will be on the agenda when Prime Minister Helen Clark meets United States President George W Bush later this month.
Helen Clark's office has confirmed that she will meet President Bush during a visit to Washington on March 20-21.
The visit signals a continuing thawing of relations, with both countries appearing to concentrate on increased co-operation towards common goals rather than New Zealand's contentious anti-nuclear policy.
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This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Matthew Poole
On terrorism: the terrorists won the moment the US began infringing civil liberties. Americans may still use air travel, and they may still be walking the streets, but the degree of paranoia in their society is evidenced by the Boston PD blowing up a traffic counter because it was an "unknown device". Trampling on human rights is the act of a fascist, dictatorial state, not the supposed (and thats very supposed these days) "leader of the Free World".
On trade: we will not bend over so that the US pharmaceutical and media industries can rape us. We will not accept a "free trade" agreement that in any way supports the rabid, rampant protectionism of the US agricultural lobby. If its not completely free, open trade, forget it. We won't do an Australia, and wait 20 years to see a whole extra 0.5 per cent of our current GDP! On war: if you go into Iran, you are on your own. We will send not a single soldier, sailor or airman to support an act of blatant, unwarranted aggression, and we will push the rest of the world to declare you a rogue state
Geve
Helen Clark should make this meeting with Bush a major opportunity to promote New Zealand as the best choice for American business to set up medium, and some large scale manufacturing units. Computer software developers,manufacturing units for aluminium-cast car and other engines, mobile phones, small private aircraft, electric and alternate fuel cars, outer aluminium shells for television sets etc.
We have to take a good look at our wage structure, and immigration policy, to make the economy more competitive. Otherwise, a good case can be made of New Zealand possessing a superb climate-and-work environment, and an infrastructure which is, in most ways, better than what is available in some countries(India,for example) where American business is now heading to. If New Zealand does not change its vision and plans for a more vibrant economy from the present consumer based one, than we are in for several decades of near zero growth rates.
Bill Potter
I am amazed that George Bush should devote any time at all to meeting Helen Clark. She is anti-US, an utter nonentity and (for now) represents a country with approximately zero importance to anyone (other than as an over-rated holiday destination).
Andrew Atkin
Helen should tell George that he is a puppet, and to therefore please inform who she should really be talking to.
Lars
Memo to Helen Clark: Please remember to pack your backbone on your holiday to the USA.If you are so anti the whole Iraq War then here is your chance to say it ,to the face of the man who many blame for it George W Bush. You will be in front of the worlds media you will never get a better chance will you. As I am sure the topic of Iraq is bound to pop up at some stage. I some how doubt you will have the backbone to stand up for your convictions.
John Macassey
I would like to see Ms Clark encourage Bush to move toward diplomatic negotiations with other nations rather than continuing to resort to threats or military force. Also, encourage the US regime to focus on the root causes of so called terrorism and take a more thoughtful and constructive approach rather than the current apparently blind and seemingly paranoid approach of instant revenge. Perhaps Ms. Clark could suggest the US consider respecting International law and even support the International Criminal Court. It would be great if she could suggest The US support the removal of Israelis from the left bank and stop supplying them with cluster bombs.
Mat
I am a little concerned that Trade and Terrorism are on the agenda at all in these talks. So far, every country that has discussed these issues with the US government has ended up strongarmed into anti-terror laws that erode the freedoms of their citizens (ala US Patriot act) and trade laws that further erode consumer rights (a la Digital Millenium Copyright Act). If anything, the only thing she should be saying to him regarding these topics is "butt out".
Lo Salini
1) Clark should reiterate New Zealands position against the illegal Fijian Government without compromise. The army commander should step down immediately from his Prime Minister position and hand over to a civilian PM. 2) All Fiji soldiers on UN sponsored assignments should be returned home immediately and no new employment of Fijian soldiers to be contemplated until a democratically government is in place. 3) New general election be conducted and elected government be in place in two years time; 4)Immunity decree guaranteeing army personnel freedom from the illegal takeover and illegal activities after the coup be recindered. 5)All US and NZ aid to Fiji be terminated at immediately. 6)US and NZ to urge the EU to cut all assistance including financial aids for the sugar industry to Fiji. 7)US and NZ to compile names of all ministers and those who assist the illegal government in Fiji and their families and these to be blacklisted and banned from travelling to those countries 8)All military responsible for human rights abuses to be brought to justice.
Bourbonjon
She should tell him that left wing New Zealand and right wing America should get along famously.After all they have one major thing in common. Bush uses the war on terror (just to use one example) to promote unreasonable fear amongst Americans in order to further his make more money for daddys mates agenda.Our Helen uses global warming hysteria to promote her parent state agenda. Dont get me wrong. I would rather have a fanatic who wants to save the world at the big desk than one who wants to blow it up but a spade is still a spade and killing through kindness is still killing.
Steve H
I would like to see a warming of the US-NZ relationship, subject to some irreconcilable differences of opinion on values and public policy. Ms. Clark will not be able to displace Mr. Bushs efforts in Iraq, nor will Mr. Bush be able to displace the Kiwis reasonable objection to port visits by nuclear powered naval vessels. Most folks I know here in the US have very positive feelings for New Zealand, and many have serious reservations about US government military actions in Iraq. For many of us in California in particular, we feel a strong affinity with New Zealand, which in some ways feels closer to us than Washington DC.
Alice
Stay strong with the anti-nuclear stance . It is great!
Eli
She should advise him to stop his war, and killing innocent people.
Bruce Nicholson
Why should George Bush take any notice of what Helen Clark has to say. She is not supported by the majority of New Zealanders and only stays in power with the support of a bunch of out of date wannabes and past dole bludgers who replaced that income with politicians income by being on a political list.
Peter Grant
I was puzzled as to why Helen, our principled, socialist leader, would agree to be seen together with war criminal No 1, George Bush. Then I understood, at a last a western statesman with "the balls" to personally deliver the International Court of Justices summons for the crimes of aggression committed against Afghanistan and Iraq to Dubya and to get the event publicised by the worlds media.
