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### Viewing cable 09WELLINGTON223, ENGAGING AN MP CRITIC OF AFGHAN COMBAT OPS

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09WELLINGTON223 | 2009-07-20 05:18 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Wellington

`

    VZCZCXRO1206
    RR RUEHAP RUEHDT RUEHNZ RUEHPB
    DE RUEHWL #0223/01 2010516
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 200518Z JUL 09
    FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0069
    INFO ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
    RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0008
    RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0019
    RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0021
    RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0018
    RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 WELLINGTON 000223

    SIPDIS
    SENSITIVE
    STATE FOR STATE FOR EAP/ANP
    PACOM FOR J01E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL AF NZ
    SUBJECT: ENGAGING AN MP CRITIC OF AFGHAN COMBAT OPS

    Wellington 179

    ¶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.

    Background: Green Party MP Disputes Legality of OEF
    --------------------------------------------- ------

    ¶2. (U)  On June 16, new Green Party MP Dr. Kennedy Graham posed a
    number of critical questions to Foreign Minister Murray McCully in
    the NZ Parliament on Operation Enduring Freedom's (OEF) legal
    mandate.  The next day, Graham gave a speech in Parliament where he
    developed the underlying thesis of his questions the previous day,
    that because OEF presently does not operate under a specific UN
    resolution it is, in actual fact, illegitimate.  Graham thus asserted
    that the GNZ is duty bound not to commit any combat force in support
    of OEF (Reftel Wellington 179).  The GNZ is presently considering
    whether to accede to a USG request to send additional forces to
    support combat operations in Afghanistan.

    Affirms Primacy of International Law
    ------------------------------------

    ¶3. (SBU)  On July 15, Charge and Political Assistant had lunch with
    Graham where the topic of Afghanistan came up.  Graham conceded that
    the challenge in establishing a secure and stable Afghanistan is
    complex and demanding.  Nevertheless, he steadfastly, yet evenly,
    re-asserted that OEF presently operates under an imprecise mandate
    and that only an explicit UN resolution can provide correction.  The
    former NZ and UN diplomat Graham, predictably, proved his
    internationalist credentials and demonstrated that he is likely to
    become one of the NZ Parliament's strongest advocates of
    multilateralism.  He  underscored his OEF position by arguing that
    strengthening the rule of international law, through national action
    as provided for and in the UN Charter, is the most effective way of
    promoting international and national security for all nations and
    their peoples.  [Note.  Graham teaches International Law at
    Canterbury University on a part-time basis.  End Note].

    ¶4. (SBU)  We reminded Graham that OEF acquired its legitimacy via
    others means aside from a specifically-drafted UN resolution.  He
    conceded this point, particularly acknowledging the importance of
    Afghan Government consent, though noting a concern that the consent
    government not be perceived as a puppet.  This, however, did not
    alter Graham's opinion that multilateral consent and recognition
    (read UN),  particularly of an international operation such as OEF,
    are indispensable.  Graham stressed, however, that he did not wish to
    embarrass the GNZ over this issue nor score political points.
    Rather, he stated that he believes the primacy of international law
    in developing ways to advance global security a vital issue and that
    it should get a public debate in a reasoned and civil manner.

    Sponsors Bill to Outlaw Non-UN Sanctioned Armed Action
    --------------------------------------------- ---------

    ¶5. (SBU)  Graham revealed that he has drafted a Member's Bill
    (legislation personally sponsored by a MP) that seeks to prohibit NZ
    from "unlawfully" engaging in armed force against other countries.
    The legislation is called the International Non-Aggression and Lawful
    Use of Force Bill.  The stated purpose of the bill is twofold: to
    ensure that the use of armed force by NZ is always in conformity with
    international law and in particular the UN Charter; and to protect NZ
    leaders from external pressure to commit the NZ Defence Force to any
    illegal action overseas.  As drafted, the bill will require NZ to
    observe its binding obligation under the UN Charter not to commit an
    act of aggression, as qualified under General Assembly Resolution
    3314, and make it a criminal offence in NZ law for any NZ leader to
    commit an act of aggression.  The Bill has yet to be introduced into

    WELLINGTON 00000223  002 OF 003

    the House and there is no certainty that it will get blind-picked
    from the 'ballot' box during this parliamentary term.

    Strong Climate Change Advocate
    ------------------------------
    ¶6. (SBU)  Graham spoke fluently and at length about international
    climate change policy.  He revealed that he may attend the upcoming
    UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.  If so, he will most
    likely travel to Copenhagen as part of the NZ Green Party delegation
    rather than as part of the official NZ delegation.  Graham noted that
    he attended the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 as a UN
    official and stated his belief that the Rio Summit represented a
    missed opportunity to address the climate change challenge early on
    in a bold and collective manner.  He retains, however, a level of
    optimism that the Copenhagen Conference will yield positive outcomes,
    though he believes they may be short-term.  Graham also noted that he
    believes that China is more sophisticated in its thinking on climate
    change than India and is therefore more likely to change its behavior
    towards climate change-related policy and emissions levels.

    ¶7. (SBU)  Graham was forthright in his assertion that NZ should be
    bolder in advancing its climate change position in international
    fora.  He disputes the conventional theory that the means by which a
    country can and should address climate change is inextricably linked
    to its own economic development, an argument advanced by NZ's current
    National-led administration.  Notwithstanding this position, Graham
    spoke favorably of the GNZ's two climate change ministers, Dr. Nick
    Smith and Tim Groser.

    Engaging the Green Party
    ------------------------

    ¶8. (SBU) The overarching purpose of the July 15 lunch was to
    establish the beginnings of a warm and respectful relationship with
    Graham.  By lunch's end, an open dialogue and a mature relationship
    with Graham going forward were highly probable.  He appreciatively
    accepted  an offer to turn to Post for any assistance he made need in
    the future.   Post has made an effort to develop relations with key
    members of the Green Party, which historically has been a strong
    critic of U.S. policy.  On June 22, Charge placed a highly successful
    call on the Green Party's new co-leader, Metiria Turei.  Recently,
    Post helped secure a place on the International Visitors Program for
    the Green Party's co-leader, Dr. Russel Norman, to look at U.S.
    efforts to advance sustainable development.   [Note.  Graham reported
    that the now-returned Norman got great value of the program and was
    particularly impressed with the contribution the commercial and NGO
    sector respectively make to sustainable development in the U.S.  End
    Note].

    Comment:  Potential to Moderate Green Party Policy
    --------------------------------------------- -----

    ¶9.  (SBU)  Given his background, Graham is unsurprisingly an
    articulate and thoughtful individual with an extensive and pragmatic
    world view.  Though a committed multilateralism, he does not appear
    to be bogged down in the left-wing dogma which imbues many of his
    Green Party colleagues.  Not withstanding his disagreements with the
    NZ and U.S. governments, Graham has the potential to be a moderating
    voice within the Green Party, synonymous with taking radical
    positions on many issues.  He revealed that he does not always
    subscribe to the majority view of his party's caucus.  Graham noted
    his caution at acting in a "shrill and extreme" manner when arguing a
    political point, which he believes diminishes the possibility for
    rational debate on important issues.  Graham's careful and reasoned
    parliamentary questions and speech on OEF were testament to his
    behavioral preference within the political sphere.

    ¶10. (SBU)  It remains to be seen, however, how much influence Graham
    will have on his party (presently he has the lowest ranking of the
    Green Party's nine MPs) or on its relationship with both the National
    Party and the Labour Party.  Nevertheless, his mere presence within
    the Green Party caucus is likely to lend to its discussion on policy
    and positions a sense of perspective and evenness than has largely
    been absent since the 2005 death of former party co-leader Rod
    Donald.  This may allow the National and Labour a greater sense of
    comfort in dealing with the Greens (Graham has familial links with
    the National Party.  He is the brother of Sir Douglas Graham, a much
    respected former National Cabinet Minister of the 1990s and esteemed
    party elder).  Graham's extensive diplomatic experience means that
    the Green Party now has in its parliamentary ranks a bonafide foreign
    policy expert for the first time since it came into being in the late
    1990s.  Graham's frequent fond recall of his time in U.S. as a NZ and

    WELLINGTON 00000223  003 OF 003

    UN diplomat during the lunch meeting and his post-lunch statement of
    admiration of President Obama and his approach to diplomacy and
    governance indicated that he is likely to be one, if not the
    paramount, pro-American Green Party MP.   End Comment.
    KEEGAN

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