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WikiLeaks: Lamb Sales Behind New Zealand's "Flap" with Israel

(Guardian-UK) Richard Adams - The arrest and conviction in 2004 of two Israeli citizens who were caught using a false identity to apply for a New Zealand passport caused a serious rift between New Zealand and Israel. But U.S. officials in Wellington told their colleagues in Washington that New Zealand was merely trying to bolster its exports to Arab states. A confidential cable written in July 2004, after New Zealand imposed diplomatic sanctions against Israel, comments: "The GoNZ [government of New Zealand] has little to lose by such stringent action, with limited contact and trade with Israel, and possibly something to gain in the Arab world, as the GoNZ is establishing an embassy in Egypt and actively pursuing trade with Arab states." A cable two days later said: "Its overly strong reaction to Israel over this issue suggests the GNZ sees this flap as an opportunity to bolster its credibility with the Arab community, and by doing so, perhaps, help NZ lamb and other products gain greater access to a larger and more lucrative market."
2010-12-22 08:58:04
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