US-NZ relations... 4 November 2010

Prime Minister John Key and American Secretary of State Hilary Clinton sit facing one another across a table and Hilary Clinton asks John Key to join military exercises if he has any military left. The title reads 'US - NZ relations...' Hilary Clinton was in New Zealand in early November and during the visit both signed the 'Wellington Declaration' that 'formalises a new strategic partnership between the two countries, commits to regular meetings at foreign minister level, working together on trade and holding annual military talks'. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully told Morning Report there have always been limitations on interactions because of New Zealand's nuclear free legislation. "It means that while Australia and the United States have an alliance, we don't have one, and we had to try and find a new, positive way of expressing a partnership that wasn't an alliance." (Radio New Zealand News - 5 November 2010). Refers also to the news that the Defence Force is to be overhauled in a radical plan that will see military bases consolidated and current spending trimmed by up to $400 million a year to help fund big ticket purchases. A government White Paper said today the outcome would be a "smaller, modernised and upgraded defence estate", in which private sector financing and expertise might be used for some functions. (Stuff 2 November 2010)

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).