An international relations expert says that while sending Kiwi troops to help Iraq in the fight against the Islamic State is morally sound, he has doubts as to whether it will help solve the problem in the long-term.
John Key announced
yesterday that New Zealand will be sending up to 100 soldiers into the
conflict zone to help train troops against the terrorist group.
The announcement sparked
fierce opposition in Parliament, with Labour, the Greens and New Zealand
First all questioning whether military action is necessary and why
there has been no vote over the issue.
Professor Al Gillespie of
Waikato University is in no doubt that "something needs to be done" to
help fight militants whom he believes will soon turn their eyes and
interest to New Zealand.
"There is no crime
against humanity, nor crime of war that this group has not caused or
done yet," he told TVNZ's Breakfast programme.
However, like many experts who have waded into the debate over the issue, he is questioning just what that something is.
He says that while
providing military support is all very well, there needs to be a focus
in making sure the new Iraqi government doesn't make the same mistakes
of its predecessor.
"Right now, it's not just about fighting ISIS but supporting Iraq," says Mr Gillespie.
"We have to make sure the values of Iraq are ones that we subscribe to."
Mr Gillespie believes that unless this is done, there will be no long-term benefit to getting involved in the fighting.
He says that legislation
will need to be drawn up to ensure that our troops aren't in danger of
being prosecuted for crimes of war in the conflict.
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