Excerpt from Speech given by Hon. Matt Robson, former NZ Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control to the Korean Association of New Zealand
Takapuna, Auckland NZ 5th July 5th 2012.
The full speech can be read on: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timbeal.net.nz%2Fgeopolitics%2FRobson_NZKA_july2012.pdf
An independent New Zealand policy on Korea
New Zealand has respect in the world when it is seen as having an independent foreign policy and not as being the mouth piece of any of the large powers.
We earned that international respect and influence when we became free of nuclear weapons in 1987 despite earning the wrath of the United States.
We increased that respect when we refused, under a Labour-Progressive government of which I was part, to be bullied, as Australia was, into the illegal invasion of Iraq.
We will gain respect and actually be a useful international citizen if we refuse to be categorised as the enemy of either the ROK or the DPRK but take practical and ethical steps to assist in the peace process.
The failed policy of isolating North Korea
North Korea will not abandon its nuclear deterrent through a policy of isolation and sanctions.
US policy towards Cuba and Iran should show that.
New Zealand is a player in the United Nations in ASEAN, APEC and many other international forums.
Our influence on North Korea will be beneficial if it is one of friendship, as it is with South Korea.
Being a friend to the people of North Korea does not mean shutting our mouths on issues of human rights or supporting the development of nuclear weapons.
But we need to ask ourselves what would give us greater influence: cutting off contact or opening our country up to provide a positive example of a democratic country?
Scholarships
We should start by implementing the scholarships programmes that were cancelled after the sinking of the Cheonan. And it shouldn’t be limited to 20 scholarships. Bring as many young North Koreans to study here as possible. They will return not only with valuable skills but the experience of studying and learning in an open society. They will also meet and learn from their compatriots from the south who have made New Zealand home.
Let DPRK officials participate in MFAT’s English Training for Officials programme as do those from Vietnam –our former “enemy “.!!!
Ping Pong Diplomacy -Sporting Exchanges
Then let us follow that up with sporting exchanges (and sporting scholarships) starting with the under 19 football team the pride and joy of North Korea. They will have a lot to teach our young players in terms of skill. But they will learn a lot in return about our way of life. And then begin a regular exchange with all of our compatible sporting codes.
Scholar and Artist Exchanges
Our scholars and artists can deepen the understanding of both countries and lay the basis for a deep going and long lasting influence on how we think about each other.
Trade Delegations
Trade delegations can explore ways of opening up both trade and investment from New Zealand. Perhaps we can work with the successful South Korean companies in the economic free zone on the border?
Tourism
Tourism, both ways, is an obvious way to forge closer links while benefiting the economies of both parties
Political Parties
Political parties (plural in the case of New Zealand), civilian associations etc. can and should be part of the process of exchange.
I am confident that New Zealanders would interact with the people of North Korea in a non-threatening and non-condescending or patronising manner and be willing to learn as well as to advise.
Then on the political stage it is time for New Zealand to find an independent voice an advocate for an end to the Koreas being part of the strategic games of Russia, China, the US and Japan.
A Peace Treaty and not an Armistice
New Zealand can support the ending of sanctions and isolation for the North -it doesn’t work and hasn’t worked and has only increased the threat of war.
New Zealand can work towards an effective peace treaty which guarantees that the Korean peninsula will not be invaded to replace the Armistice. We have the ridiculous situation that almost 60 years after the end of the war we are still technically at war with North Korea as only an armistice is in place and thus a “temporary” cessation of the war not lasting peace.
Support the North East Asia NWFZ
Let us help with the establishment of a North East Asia NWFZ using our New Zealand experience of setting up a NWFZ in the south Pacific. We can assist with the proposal of the former Japanese Foreign Minister, Katsaya Okada, who has presented a draft NWFZ treaty for the Korean Peninsula and Japan. This positive and constructive initiative would see the whole of the Korean Peninsula and neighbouring Japan becoming free of nuclear weapons with Russia, China and the United States providing negative security assurances to all three countries. Such assurances would be guarantees from the nuclear armed states, binding under international law that they would not be subject to aggression. Already a number of Members of Parliament from the ROK have endorsed this proposal and are working constructively with PNND on its furtherance.
Failure of Key government to act courageously, effectively and independently
The Key government has not picked up this issue, as yet, preferring to travel in the slip stream of American foreign policy rather that making a positive contribution to peace on the peninsula. Korean New Zealanders are in a position ( and certainly the New Zealand –Korean MP Melissa Lee is) to ask Mr Key why he doesn’t take an independent position and take a leadership position for a North East Asia NWFZ.
We may indeed be a nation of 30 million sheep and 4.5 million people. But it is time on the issue of peace for the Korean Peninsula for New Zealand to be a leader and not one of the sheep.