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New Zealand's Clark sets Sept. 17 for general election

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday set Sept. 17 as the date for general elections at which her Labour-led administration will seek a third consecutive three-year term.

The announcement sets up nearly two months of campaigning expected to focus on the economy, the nation's role in the war on terror and its 20-year non-nuclear policy.

"The election is about leadership, credibility and values,"Clark told reporters in the capital, Wellington.

She said her government, if re-elected, would "keep building New Zealand economic strength and boost living standards and well-being."

Clark's government currently is trailing the opposition National Party in opinion polls by about 5 percentage points.

PLEDGES

National leader Don Brash, a former head of New Zealand's central bank, has pledged tax cuts if he wins power, while Clark has said she will not cut taxes but will continue to invest in areas such as health, law and order and education.

Clark also has warned against major changes Brash has planned.

"Few New Zealanders are looking for radical policy change this election but radical policy change is the only thing on offer from our opponents ... taking New Zealand backward," she said.

In recent days, Clark has attacked Brash, saying he could send troops to Iraq if he wins the election.

"Our government took a principled decision not to support a war which was wrong," she told reporters.

"National would have committed combat troops, and it would do so now given the chance," she said.

US RELATIONS

During her time in office, Clark has clashed with US authorities over her strident opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

"Our opponents refuse to commit to the nuclear-free policy. Their aim is to break down New Zealanders' resolve to be nuclear free. This is shameful -- and it is a defining issue for this election," she said.

Brash has said he could in the future review New Zealand's 1985 ban on nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered ships. Clark has vowed not to tinker with the ban, a constant source of irritation in relations with the US.

Brash said last week that he was eager to mend fences with Washington.

"New Zealand needs to build its relationship, first of all, with Australia. Then we need to have, frankly, a better relationship with the United States," he said.

"Does that mean following the US slavishly everywhere? No, of course it doesn't," Brash said.

Brash told National Radio yesterday that "New Zealanders want ... to make it clear they want no more of this six years of PC [politically correct] social engineering."

National is campaigning on tax cuts, slashing wasteful government spending, reducing bureaucracy and overhauling the education and welfare systems.
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