Zaoui threat level based on public and classified information

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The reasons for classifying Algerian Ahmed Zaoui as a security threat were based on public information and classified security information which could not be divulged, the SIS says.

The classification relied on the definition of security in the New Zealand Security Service Intelligence Act, 1969, the SIS said in a summary of the allegations released to Mr Zaoui's lawyers.

The SIS summary of the reasons for classifying Mr Zaoui as a threat were released by Mr Zaoui's lawyers today and contained comments by the director of security (Richard Woods) under each section of the definition of security contained in the act. (Mr Woods' comments are in quotes. Mr Zaoui's lawyers said the convictions referred to by the SIS had been declared unsafe by the New Zealand Refugee Status Appeal Authority.)

* The protection of New Zealand from activities within or relating to New Zealand:

"It is reasonable to suspect that if permitted to settle in New Zealand Mr Zaoui would in due course undertake, facilitate, promote or encourage activities like those of which he was convicted in Belgium and France and/or which the Swiss government decided endangered Switzerland's domestic and external security. His presence here would attract, both directly (people who wish to work with him) and indirectly (people encouraged to believe that New Zealand is a safe haven for people with his sort of record), other people likely to engage in activities of security concern."

* Are influenced by any foreign organisation or any foreign person.

"Mr Zaoui is a foreign person. He has a long record of involvement with foreign persons and foreign organisations, including leadership. There is good reason to believe that any future activities he may undertake will be influenced by other foreign persons and/or by foreign organisations."

* Are clandestine or deceptive, or threaten the safety of any person.

"The activities of which he was convicted in Belgium and France were clandestine or deceptive or threatened the safety of persons. The Swiss government believed that his activity in Switzerland 'may lead to acts of violence, and even attacks, in Switzerland'. Activities of this kind in New Zealand, by Mr Zaoui or by others attracted to New Zealand by his presence here, could threaten the safety of New Zealanders."

* Impact adversely on New Zealand's international well-being.

"As part of the international community it is New Zealand's responsibility to take its proper part in controlling, defeating and preventing activities of security concern, such as those of which Mr Zaoui has been convicted in Belgium and France and for which he was deported from Switzerland. Consistent with this, it is a government objective to ensure that New Zealand is neither the victim nor the source of acts of terrorism or other activities of security concern, and to prevent New Zealand from being or becoming a safe haven for people who have undertaken, or may be intending to undertake, such activities.

"If Mr Zaoui, with his public record, were allowed to settle here, that would indicate that New Zealand has a lower level of concern about security than other like-minded countries. That would impact adversely on New Zealand's reputation with such countries and thus on New Zealand's international well-being.

"If Mr Zaoui, or other people attracted to New Zealand by his presence here, were to undertake, facilitate, promote or encourage activities of security concern, either in New Zealand or elsewhere from within New Zealand, the adverse impact on New Zealand's reputation and thus on its international well-being would be compounded."

- NZPA

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