Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12856 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/07
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/10
1994/12
1996/07 1996/11
1997/06 1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AVERY AMGT AR ASEC AMED AORC AG AU AM APEC ABUD AF AS AGRICULTURE AEMR ASEAN APECO ACOA AJ AO AFIN ABLD ADPM AY ASCH AE AFFAIRS AA AC ARF APER AFU AINF AODE AMG ATPDEA AGAO ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AID AL AORL AFSI AFSN ADCO ASUP AN AIT ANET ASIG AGMT ADANA AADP ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ADM ACAO AND ATRN ALOW APCS AORG AROC ACABQ AX AMEX AZ ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ ASEX AER
BR BA BO BL BK BT BD BU BBSR BMGT BM BY BX BTIO BEXP BG BB BH BF BP BWC BRUSSELS BN BTIU BIDEN BE BILAT BC
CA CS CASC CO CI CD CH CN CY CONDOLEEZZA CU CE CVIS CG CMGT CF CPAS CDC CW CJAN CJUS CTM CM CFED CODEL CWC CR CBW CAN CLMT CBC CONS COUNTERTERRORISM CIA CDG CIC COUNTER CT CNARC CACM CB CV CIDA CLINTON CHR COE CIS CBSA CEUDA CAC CL CACS CAPC CTR COM CROS CARSON COPUOS CICTE CYPRUS COUNTRY CBE CKGR CVR CITEL CLEARANCE CARICOM CSW CITT CDB
DA DR DTRA DEA DHS DJ DO DEAX DAO DCM DE DOD DOMESTIC DK DPRK DEPT DISENGAGEMENT DOE DS DEFENSE
EUN ECON ELAB ETRD EFIN ECIN EAGR EAIR EN EG ECA ET ER EWWT EIND EINV EAID EC EU EFIS ETTC EPET ENRG EMIN ECPS ENGR EINVETC ELTN ECONCS EZ ES EI ECONOMIC ELN EINT EPA ETRA EXTERNAL ESA ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EAIG EUR EK EUMEM EUREM EUC ENERG ERD EFTA ETRC ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ENVI ECINECONCS ELECTIONS ENVR ENIV ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EXIM EFINECONCS ECONOMY ERNG EINVEFIN ETC EAP EINN EXBS ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN EDU ETRDEINVTINTCS ECIP EFIM EAIDS EREL
FI FR FTA FTAA FBI FAC FJ FM FDA FARC FAO FO FOR FMLN FISO FAS FREEDOM FOREIGN FINANCE FINR FOI
GV GA GG GE GM GH GTIP GT GZ GAERC GR GOI GCC GOV GY GANGS GERARD GTMO GL GF GAZA GLOBAL
HK HUMAN HA HO HR HU HURI HILLARY HYMPSK HSTC HEBRON HUMOR HI
IV IS IC IIP IR ICRC IZ IWC IAEA IT IN IRS ICAO IQ IMO ILC IMF ILO IF ITPHUM IL IO ID ISRAEL IACI INMARSAT IPR ICTY ICJ INDO IA IDA IBRD IAHRC ISLAMISTS IGAD ITU ITF INRA INRO INRB ITALY IBET INTELSAT ISRAELI IDP ICTR ITRA IRC IRAQI IEFIN ITPGOV ITALIAN INTERNAL INTERPOL IEA INR IZPREL IRAJ
JA JP JO JM JOSEPH JUS JAMES JOHN JOHNNIE
KPAO KV KGIT KPAL KDEM KCRM KISL KPKO KSCA KOMC KTFN KNNP KN KZ KIPR KE KCIP KWMN KGIC KTIA KFRD KHDP KSEP KMPI KG KIRF KJUS KWBG KHLS KCOR KMDR KU KTDB KTIP KS KFLU KGHG KRAD KSPR KHIV KCOM KAID KOM KUNR KRVC KICC KBTS KSUM KOLY KAWC KIRC KDRG KCRS KNPP KSTH KWNM KRFD KVIR KLIG KFLO KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KVPR KTEX KTER KRGY KCFE KIDE KSTC KREC KR KPAONZ KIFR KOCI KBTR KBIO KMCA KGCC KACT KMRS KAWK KSAC KWMNCS KNEI KPOA KSEO KFIN KWAC KNAR KPLS KPAK KSCI KPRP KOMS KBCT KPWR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRIM KDDG KPRV KSAF KCGC KPAI KFSC KMFO KID KMIG KVRP KNSD KMOC KTBT KENV KCMR KWMM KHSA KO KX KCRCM KNUP KNUC KNNPMNUC KERG KTLA KCSY KTRD KJUST KRCM KCFC KCHG KREL KFTFN KDEMAF KICA KHUM KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV KWWMN
LY LE LH LABOR LI LG LO LA LU LOG LTTE LAB LT
MARR MOPS MO MASS MX MA MR MNUC MCAP MAPS MD MV MTCRE MY MP ML MILITARY MEPN MARAD MDC MU MEPP MIL MAPP MZ MT MASSMNUC MK MTCR MUCN MAS MEDIA MAR MI MQADHAFI MPOS MG MPS MW MC MTRE MRCRE MASC MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MCC MIK
NATO NL NI NZ NG NO NP NK NU NDP NPT NSF NR NAFTA NATOPREL NS NEW NA NE NSSP NSC NH NV NPA NSFO NT NW NASA NSG NORAD NATIONAL NPG NGO NIPP NZUS NC NRR NAR
OEXC OVIP OTRA ODIP OFDP OPDC OPIC OIIP OPRC OAS OREP OSCE OECD OPCW OSCI OMIG OVP OIE ON OCII OPAD OBSP OFFICIALS OES OCS OIC OHUM OTR OSAC OFDA
PTER PREL PE PHUM PGOV PARM PINR PREF PINS PBTS PA PK PM PL PO POL PROP PSOE PHSA PAK PY PLN PMAR PHUH PBIO PF PHUS PTBS PU PNAT POLITICAL PARTIES PCUL PGGV PAO PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PAS PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PP PINL PBT PG PINF PRL PALESTINIAN PSEPC POSTS PAHO PROV PHUMPGOV POV PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL PREO POLITICS POLICY PDOV PCI PRAM PSI PAIGH PJUS PARMS PROG PTERE PRGOV PORG PS PGOF PKFK PEPR PPA PINT PRELP PNG PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PDEM PECON
QA
RS RU RW RIGHTSPOLMIL RICE RUPREL RIGHTS RO RF RELATIONS RP RM RFE REGION REACTION REPORT RCMP RSO ROOD ROBERT RSP
SCUL SNAR SP SENV SU SO SMIG SOCI SW SA SZ SY SL SENVKGHG SF SR SN SARS SANC SHI SIPDIS SEVN SHUM SC SI STEINBERG SK SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SG SYRIA SNARIZ SWE SIPRS SYR SAARC SEN SCRS SAN ST SSA SPCVIS SOFA
TSPL TBIO TU TH TP TRGY TPHY TZ TW TX TSPA TFIN TC TI TS TAGS TK TIP TNGD TL TV TT TINT TERRORISM TR TN TD TBID TF THPY TO TRSY TURKEY
UN UNSC UK US UNGA UNDP UP UG USTR UNHRC UY UNESCO UNMIK UNEP UZ UNO UNHCR USEU UNAUS UNCHR UNPUOS UNDC UNICEF UNCHC UNCSD USOAS UNFCYP UNIDROIT UV UNCND USUN USNC USPS USAID UE UNVIE UAE UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNDESCO UNC
VZ VM VE VT VAT VC VI VTPREL VN VTIZ VTEG
WS WHA WHO WTRO WIPO WEU WZ WTO WMO WA WWARD WHTI WTRQ WBG WFP WB WI WMD WITH
XA XR XM XG XW XB XV XF XD XS XK XY XC XL XZ XX XU XI XT XH XQ XE XTAG
YI YM YE YMCS
ZI ZF ZU ZR ZK ZANU ZB ZEALAND ZP ZO ZL ZOELLICK ZJ ZN ZA

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06WELLINGTON725, DON BRASH NOT DOWN FOR THE COUNT - YET

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06WELLINGTON725.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06WELLINGTON725 | 2006-09-14 19:00 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Wellington

`

    VZCZCXYZ0000
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHWL #0725/01 2571900
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 141900Z SEP 06
    FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3266
    INFO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
    RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
    RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000725

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    NOFORN

    STATE FOR D (FRITZ), EAP/FO, AND EAP/ANP
    NSC FOR VICTOR CHA
    SECDEF FOR OSD/ISD LIZ PHU
    PACOM FOR J01E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2016
    TAGS: PGOV NZ
    SUBJECT: DON BRASH NOT DOWN FOR THE COUNT - YET

    REF A WELLINGTON 721 B WELLINGTON 690

    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (C) National Party MPs insist they will stand by embattled leader
    Don Brash amidst controversy over his private life (REF A) and will
    continue to focus on the party's political agenda.  Despite the
    party's bravado, a prominent conservative political analyst believes
    that Brash's leadership has been undermined.  One reason the Nats may
    be propping up Brash is that with no consensus on an alternative, a
    fractious leadership contest could reverse the party's recent gains
    in the polls.  National seems to be banking that Labour's tactic of
    shifting attention away from its own scandals by alluding to Brash's
    private problems will prove counter-productive with fair-minded Kiwi
    voters.  But if Labour succeeds in raising questions about Brash's
    credibility they could force National's hand.  End Summary.

    Reaction within National
    ------------------------

    ¶2. (C) National's Deputy Director of Research tells us that the
    recent news about Brash's affair caused some initial panic among
    party ranks, especially junior members. Senior MPs quickly restored
    calm. National MP Chris Finlayson tells us the party is maintaining a
    'business as usual' mentality.  However, one party staffer told us
    some in National are concerned that Brash's alleged recidivist
    infidelity (his current marriage is a result of a previous
    extra-marital affair) could cost the party support, especially among
    women voters. (National is already relatively unpopular among women)

    ¶3. (SBU) Although PM Clark has declined to comment on the matter, the
    unveiling of Brash's affair seems to be part of Labour's efforts to
    deflect attention from National's claims that the Government
    illegally used taxpayer money in its reelection campaign (reftel).
    Days before the story broke, senior Labour MP Trevor Mallard had
    responded in Parliament to incessant National attacks on Labour's
    integrity and honesty by publicly alluding to Brash's alleged
    indiscretions.

    ¶4.  (C) National MPs are now trying to put the ball back in the
    Government's court by pointing out that Labour is breaking an
    unwritten convention in New Zealand politics: do not delve into the
    private lives of Parliamentarians.  Welfare spokeswoman Judith
    Collins tearfully expressed her rage at the breach of protocol during
    a radio interview earlier today.  National Party insiders tell us
    Brash has also e-mailed his MPs instructing them not address or react
    to any questions or insinuations regarding his private life.

    Too soon to talk of Brash's demise as leader?
    ---------------------------------------------

    ¶5. (SBU) Despite the Nats' public show of unity, Barry Gustafson, an
    analyst regarded as the chief historian of the National Party, told
    the media that Brash's grip on his party's leadership is seriously
    weakened because his strongest attribute - integrity - is now in
    question.  (This is the second time Brash's credibility has been put
    at risk, as he was earlier forced to admit that despite his denials
    he had met with Christian Breathren funders of his campaign.)  The
    media has reported that backbencher Brian Connell had during a caucus
    meeting questioned Brash's fitness for office. Some commentators
    speculate that Brash might fall on his sword and resign. However,
    Finlayson tells us Brash will try and work through the crisis. Deputy
    Leader Gerry Brownlee has publicly insisted this matter will not
    affect the party's leadership.

    No heir apparent, but contenders aplenty
    ----------------------------------------

    ¶6. (SBU) Many National MPs have been concerned for months that Brash
    has been relatively ineffective in fighting the Government.  Brash's
    resignation could move him gracefully out of the way and shut down
    Labour's efforts to draw attention to his affair.  So why are the MPs
    remaining loyal?  One reason is gratitude: many credit Brash for
    restoring the party's popularity after its nadir in 2002. The other
    is practicality: Brash has no clear successors. The last thing the
    party wants is division within its ranks, especially at a time when
    National is polling strongly and has the Government on the back foot
    over allegations of dishonesty. Any split in the party over who
    should become the next leader would put these achievements at risk.

    ¶7. (SBU) There are four commonly identified contenders for Brash's
    position. None are clear inheritors of the mantle.  Former leader
    Bill English has broad policy experience, yet still carries the scar
    of leading the party to its miserable election defeat in 2002.
    Finance spokesman John Key is frequently touted as a
    leader-in-waiting, yet many in the party reportedly believe he is too
    inexperienced and untested. Deputy Leader (now Acting Leader)
    Brownlee has leadership ambitions, but some commentators question his
    public appeal. Simon Power, the law and order spokesman, is highly
    ambitious and has also been tagged as a future party leader but lacks
    political gravitas. Not surprisingly, there is no caucus consensus
    around any of these candidates.
    Comment: Is Labour playing with fire?
    -------------------------------------

    ¶7. (C) The media's preoccupation with this matter will relieve Labour
    of some of the intense scrutiny it has received over allegations of
    misappropriation of public campaign funding (REF B) and other recent
    controversies. However, National's claims that the Government has
    broken the unwritten convention of keeping clear of MPs private lives
    may result in a public backlash against the Government.  Most Kiwis
    are reticent about their personal lives and virtually all see
    themselves as fair-minded and socially tolerant.  Nor will National
    voters likely turn against Brash for his marital indiscretions: the
    son of a minister, Brash has never played up his own moral rectitude.
     It's well known that his current wife was previously his mistress.

    ¶8.  (C) National's leadership is no doubt banking that it can carry
    the day by appearing a victim of Labour's unfair aggressions.  But
    the public may see Brash as dishonest, making it more costly to leave
    him in place.  This in turn could create a temptation for one or more
    of his ambitious potential successors to try to seize the reins.  End
    Comment.

    McCormick

`