War on terrorism must deal with causes, Goff tells UN

11.45 am

The lack of opportunity for minority groups to voice dissent can create a breeding ground for terrorism, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff told the United Nations today.

"Suppression of terrorism must involve action to deal with the causes," he said in notes prepared for his speech to the general assembly.

"States must consider whether suppression of dissident or minority groups rather than allowing legitimate channels to voice dissent leave resort to force as an only option."

The terrorism attacks of September 11 should encourage all countries and organisations to renew efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis, he said.

"To achieve a peaceful solution between Palestinians and Israelis requires good will and flexibility on both sides.

"There can be no double standards in how the principles of human rights, freedom and social and economic opportunity are applied to all peoples."

Mr Goff was also critical of the international community for having been "indifferent" for too long on the situation in Afghanistan which had resulted from 22 years of war, famine and Taleban oppression.

"Too little concern has been shown internationally to the 300,000 Afghan children who died annually from preventable causes.

"One in three children in the refugee camps die before they reach the age of five.

"The groups now protesting against military intervention were silent while this human catastrophe has unfolded over the last few years."

- NZPA

Story archives:

War against terrorism

Bioterrorism

Terror in America - the Sept 11 attacks

Links: War against terrorism

Timeline: Major events since the Sept 11 attacks