If You Need a Friend You Have One. Reestablishing Military Training Exercises Between the U.S. and New Zealand
Abstract
On the sea wall at Aotea Quay in Wellington New Zealand a plaque still stands inscribed with the words "If You Need a Friend You Have One." Members of the U.S. Second Marine Division placed the plaque there when they arrived in New Zealand in 1942. Close ties have existed between the United States and New Zealand since those dark days of World War II. While the dispute over the ANZUS Treaty in the 1980s was a disappointing period for both countries more recently and especially since the attacks on the United States in September 2001 U.S. New Zealand relations have become doser. New Zealand has dispatched forces to assist the United States in the Global War on Terrorism and has contributed forces to stability and relief operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. As the United States looks to the future of the U.S. - New Zealand security relationship it is time for the U.S. to abandon its ban on military exercises with the New Zealand Defense Force and to restore bilateral and multilateral exercises with New Zealand. This ban has been in effect since 1986 when in response to New Zealand's anti-nuclear legislation the U.S. suspended the New Zealand portion of the ANZUS Treaty. In addition the U.S. placed numerous restrictions on U.S. - New Zealand military relations. Subsequent to the events of 1984-1986 many aspects of the U.S. - New Zealand military relationship have resumed. New Zealand buys U.S. military hardware, trains soldiers in U.S. military schools and participates in U.S. hosted seminars and meetings. Most importantly New Zealand Defense Forces serve alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and in the Arabian Sea. The U.S. and New Zealand are now in a period when our common interests are converging and the U.S. must restore military exercises with New Zealand to allow New Zealand to fully participate in the Global War on Terrorism and other areas of common interest.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431865
Entities
People
- Brandon F. Denecke
Organizations
- United States Army War College