by Ray Lilley, Associated Press
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Further beefing up its fight against terrorism following the attacks on the United States, New Zealand said Wednesday its is increasing funding and resources to ensure it does not become a haven for terror groups.
Announcing 14 million New Zealand dollars (dlrs 5.9 million) a year in extra money for anti-terrorism measures, Prime Minister Helen Clark said the measures were aimed at making it harder for terrorists to operate in the country.
New measures will make it difficult for terrorists to enter or operate in the country, pass funds through its financial systems or use New Zealand as a staging post for their activities, Clark said.
“The risk to New Zealand of a terrorist attack is very low,’' Clark told reporters. “There is no evidence of New Zealand being used as a safe haven.’'
''(But) we are not complacent. Any country can have people ... linked to (terrorist) networks operating inside its borders,’' she said.
The moves will fund more staff for intelligence agencies and police, upgrade intelligence-gathering resources, and provide customs and immigration services with new cargo and passenger processing and interception systems.
New chemical and biological terrorism teams will be set up in the armed forces within six months. Extra police will be permanently posted to airport security duties nationwide to add to air travel security measures already taken.
Clark said police intelligence specialists will be posted to Washington and London to ensure New Zealand is “in the loop’’ of worldwide anti-terrorism intelligence.
The ability to collect, analyze and act on intelligence material is the most important defense available, she said, with the country’s security services winning the bulk of the new funding.
Another move will see fresh laws which will allow the government to seize the vessels of people smugglers and impose criminal penalties and lengthy jail terms on anyone convicted of such activity. The law changes will be introduced during this year.
The measures “demonstrate again New Zealand’s commitment to international efforts to combat terrorism,’' Clark said.
While New Zealand is geographically remote and “an unlikely target, we are a western country and can’t be ruled out as a target,’' she added.