Where the parties stand on Iraq

Labour

Any military action against Iraq must be sanctioned by the United Nations but there is not enough evidence yet to warrant such approval. Diplomatic channels have not yet been exhausted.

"It is clear there are very advanced war plans ... but other countries, and we include ourselves, are much more interested in trying to get through this diplomatically." - Prime Minister Helen Clark

National

New Zealand should actively back efforts by US and Britain to get a second resolution passed. National prefers mandated action but reserves the right to back non-mandated force in Iraq if a UN resolution is unreasonably vetoed by a Security Council member.

"Helen Clark's failure to support this resolution is letting Iraq off the hook and letting down our traditional allies." - Wayne Mapp, foreign affairs spokesman

Act

New Zealand should join the United States, Britain and Australia in armed intervention in Iraq with or without United Nations sanction.

"It is extraordinary that New Zealand for the first time I can recall hasn't sided with our traditional allies. Saddam Hussein has ... just thumbed his nose at the UN for 12 years." - Ken Shirley, deputy leader

New Zealand First

Any intervention in Iraq must be sanctioned by the United Nations. There has not been enough evidence yet to warrant approval.

"If the United Nations passes a resolution based on reasonable evidence then NZ First would support action." - leader Winston Peters

Greens

Oppose any war against Iraq with or without United Nations sanction. Supports France-German initiative.

"There are now two draft resolutions on the table. One would lead to massive loss of life, regional devastation and global instability. The other provides a framework in which Iraq can disarm peacefully." - Keith Locke, foreign affairs spokesman

United Future

Any invasion of Iraq must be sanctioned by the UN and any contribution by New Zealand must be humanitarian. - leader Peter Dunne

Progressives

Does not believe New Zealand should be associated with invasion of Iraq. Any attack must be UN-mandated. - Matt Robson, deputy leader