Ken Graham - ENGAGING AN MP CRITIC OF AFGHAN COMBAT OPS

1. (SBU) Summary. On July 15, Charge lunched with freshman Green
Party MP Dr. Kennedy Graham, a former NZ and UN diplomat who recently
questioned the legitimacy of Operation Enduring Freedom in the New
Zealand Parliament. At lunch, Graham eloquently displayed his
extensive knowledge and understanding of global affairs, particularly
climate change and international law. An evident multilateralist,
Graham remained strong in his assertion that a government must, above
all, consider international law when embarking on national action to
advance global security and revealed he has sponsored legislation to
that end. Graham may be a moderating influence on his frequently
radical party. His contribution to party discussion could yield more
pragmatic policy positions which could, in turn, allow for closer
relations with NZ's two biggest parties, the more mainstream National
and Labour. The meeting with Graham was highly positive and
established the makings of a constructive relationship. End Summary.

What Has to be Done to Get Transparency? Afghanistan and the NZ SAS

The latest reports of coalition forces in Afghanistan handing over detainees to Afghan authorities who then torture them have concentrated the mind here once more in New Zealand.

In Britain, the High Court has upheld a ban on British forces transferring prisoners to the Afghan National Directorate for Security (NDS) because of the risk they may be tortured.

Both Keith Locke and I have raised this issue with the Government in the past, and I did so again yesterday during General Debate.

Thoughts above Saudi Arabia

It is 30 hours since I flew out of Christchurch, 24 since I was flying over Australia’s Nullabor, 2 hours since taking off from Dubai.

I am en route to Kampala, Uganda. The parties to the International Criminal Court are holding their first Review Conference, eight years after the Court’s jurisdiction came into force. New Zealand is a party, with 109 others. I shall blog more on that later. Suffice to say, for the allayment of public concern, that I am going at no cost to the nation’s taxpayer of whom I am one, nor even the consumer of whom I am one.