US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice met with Government leaders in Auckland today. Spurred on by a bounty of $10,000, 150 protesters challenged her presence in New Zealand. They called for her arrest under the Geneva Convention for war crimes and the sanctioning of torture.
There was chanting, speeches and an impressive US flag burning outside Government house where Rice was meeting with Clark and Peters. The speeches focused on Rice's support for the illegal and immoral war in Iraq, as well as the wider and more nonsensical 'War on Terror'; her sanctioning of torture and instrumental role in setting up Guantanamo Bay; and on what a bad idea a free trade agreement with the US would be. Then the crowd relocated to the Langham Hotel where Rice met with John Key.
Condoleezza Rice two days ago, under threat of legal action. However, the Students Association at Victoria University in Wellington doubled the price, offering $10,000 for a successful citizen's arrest. Although several people turned up to the demo with handcuffs, the chance to nab Rice didn't present itself. Police refused to cooperate in the arrest of this war criminal, giving the irrelavent excuse that she is a visiting dignitary.
Fugitive Rice Makes Narrow Escape