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BLAIR COMMENDS NZ FOR ROLE IN WORLD WARS; NO MENTION OF IRAQ(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Mr Blair and his wife Cherie arrived in Auckland yesterday for a 24 hour visit and while he was happy to talk about a 60-year-old war, he was greeted by protesters angry about his role in the invasion of Iraq. Around 100 protesters chanted shame at those going into a welcoming function at the Auckland Town Hall, but they did not get a glimpse of Mr Blair who was escorted in by Prime Minister Helen Clark through a side entrance. Inside both leaders were keen to stress the links between the two countries and their strong working relationship New Zealand held a special place in the hearts of the British due to fighting alongside them in two world wars ``in which the very existence of our country was at stake,'' Mr Blair said. ``They answered the call without any hesitation at all and that is something no country ever forgets and we certainly do not.'' Miss Clark also emphasised New Zealand's historical links with Britain, though only alluded in passing to the biggest recent difference -- New Zealand's refusal to endorse the invasion of Iraq. ``Over the years we've discussed many issues on domestic and foreign policies. On many, indeed most, we've taken similar approaches, on a very few we haven't,'' she said. Both Labour leaders praised each other, with Mr Blair saying he wanted to continue working alongside Miss Clark on policy issues such as the environment and climate change. He indicated he shared many New Zealanders' concerns about the closed nature of trade with the European Union but said that many in the EU now realised they had to open up their markets. Though he acknowledged the pace might not be as fast as many would like. Neither leader mentioned the many domestic problems Mr Blair is facing at home. Mr Blair, like Miss Clark, won a third term in office last year. Unlike her, Mr Blair is dealing with falling personal popularity, some of which is linked to his strong support for the invasion of Iraq and accusations his government overstated the case for toppling Saddam Hussein. The New York Times reported yesterday that more memos showed Mr Blair and US President George W. Bush were determined to invade Iraq. Anti-war protesters outside the Auckland Town Hall last night included veteran activist John Minto. They accused Mr Blair of leading an invasion of Iraq to benefit British oil interests. They said the war had turned Iraq into a disaster zone. Green MP Keith Locke managed to take the political protest inside when he handed a letter to Mr Blair stating that many New Zealanders opposed the invasion of Iraq. Mr Locke said he received a polite reception from Mr Blair. Mr Blair is in the middle of another furore at home over loans given to Labour by wealthy businessmen for the party's general election campaign. Some of those who gave money were later nominated for seats in the unelected upper chamber of Parliament, the House of Lords. There has been strong criticism over the loans story mainly because Mr Blair pledged to be ``whiter than white'' when he came to office in 1997 and the loans are seen as a grey way of getting around political donation disclosures. A poll following revelations about the loans found that one in two voters in Britain thought Mr Blair should step down within a year. Mr Blair has said he would not fight a fourth election, due by mid-2010. But yesterday he caused more waves after saying in Australia it may have been a mistake to rule out a fourth term. His office later said he had meant it was a mistake to hope it would end speculation about his retirement. Today Mr Blair will lay a wreath at a war memorial, visit a school, take part in a Wellington conference on climate change by video link and make a trip to an Auckland winery. After leaving New Zealand late today, Mr Blair will travel to Indonesia before returning to Britain. (EDS: expect second day lead around 0900 and then third after 1200) NZPA PAR il rh |