Two New Zealanders arrested in Sydney war protest

3.00pm

SYDNEY - Two New Zealanders were among eight protesters arrested today as they tried to block the departure of an Australian frigate from Sydney, Greenpeace New Zealand said.

Aucklanders Logan Petley and Phil Woolham, a diver, were among three New Zealanders who went to Sydney for the on-water protest against the war in Iraq.

Another New Zealander, Phil Lloyd, from Whakatane, also took part in the protest.

The HMAS Sydney, flanked by police launches, was able to sail out of Sydney Harbour bound for service in the Persian Gulf.

"The ship has sailed and is manoeuvring its way out of the Heads," a navy spokesman said.

"It would take more than a few protesters to stop the navy."

The guided-missile frigate had been circled by a flotilla of inflatable dinghies, kayaks and other small craft, as well as swimmers and divers.

Two protesters, neither of them from the Greenpeace New Zealand group, attached themselves to the ship and delayed its departure.

The pair had to be cut free by New South Wales water police.

Greenpeace New Zealand spokesman Steve Abel said his organisation was concerned about the precedent set by the United States-led attack on Iraq.

The coalition force includes troops from Britain and Australia.

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Iraq war