Posts by Kennedy Graham

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  Syria – and the ‘Responsibility to Protect’: …whom, how, when? - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  In the first question time of the 50th Parliament I challenged the Foreign Minister about the NZG policy on the Syrian crisis.  He delivered the ‘bipartisan’ foreign mantra that the Government condemned the killings in Homs, regretted the Security Council veto, and supported a transition to a democratic regime. This is standard ‘finger in the [...] read more
  February 10, 2012 4:43 pm - No Comments
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  The NZ Government on Syria: “not helpful to go into detail; rather wider than I would care to go…” - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Syria is approaching the climax point. The armed forces continue to attack Homs in the name of suppressing the Free Syria Army but, in reality, killing citizens through widespread collateral, if not targeted, damage.  The UN Security Council is rendered ineffectual, again, through use of the veto.  The Arab League’s plan for a controlled and [...] read more
  February 9, 2012 8:27 am - 8 Comments
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  Syria: The Litmus Test for Palestine - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  This week the UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the situation in Syria. The Council has the opportunity, along with the obligation, to lead in the international community’s call for respect for human rights and political freedoms in this latest country to enjoy the warmth of the Arab Spring. Manoeuvring delicately within the grey [...] read more
  February 2, 2012 5:09 pm - 3 Comments
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  National Loyalty and the Global Interest - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Yesterday I was sworn in, for the second time, to the NZ Parliament – a solemn and significant moment in any person’s life. The Oath (Affirmation) I took was to the Head of State of my country.  I solemnly, sincerely and truly declared to be: “…faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth [...] read more
  December 21, 2011 12:24 pm - 8 Comments
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  Disarmament as a Separate Green Portfolio - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  There has been concern expressed over the folding of disarmament into the Global Affairs portfolio which was created by the Green caucus earlier this week. In response, we have agreed to retain disarmament as a separate portfolio. The intention was not to downplay disarmament as a political priority.  The aim was to develop some clarity [...] read more
  December 16, 2011 2:36 pm - 385 Comments
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  The Global Affairs Portfolio: Setting the Foreign Policy Agenda - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Following the Greens’ new caucus retreat this week, the list of MP portfolios was announced.  I have relinquished the Musterer’s role and the Justice and Energy portfolios and taken on, inter alia, the new Global Affairs portfolio. This is a new development that builds upon, and refines, the previous foreign affairs portfolio.  It focuses on [...] read more
  December 15, 2011 9:08 am - 19 Comments
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  Is Anyone Out There? Failure on Climate Change at Durban - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  In Durban, the Kyoto Protocol is kept on life support. Kyoto is, of course, the only binding climate instrument with specific emission targets. It compels the world’s worst emitters to reduce emissions. But it has always been inadequate in itself – a first step to greater things. And it terminates within 12 months. The 194 [...] read more
  December 11, 2011 12:28 pm - 113 Comments
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  Thanking our gracious hosts: Minister Groser and the Durban Conference - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Minister Timothy Groser, fresh from electoral triumph back home, has alighted upon Durban this week. Yesterday he delivered our country’s main speech to the UN climate change conference – the 17th meeting of the parties to the UN Framework Convention. “I would like to acknowledge”, he begins, “and thank our gracious hosts, South Africa, and [...] read more
  December 9, 2011 12:58 pm - 2 Comments
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  There ain’t no party like an ICC State Party: Vanuatu joins the Court - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  “A treaty is not a law imposed by a superior authority on its subordinates [but] only a contract whose signatories cannot decree penalties against themselves since there would be no one to implement them. The only reasonable guarantee should lie in the creation of international jurisdiction with the necessary power to compel obedience”. Prophetic words [...] read more
  December 9, 2011 10:31 am - No Comments
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  Judicially Empowering the Africans: The New ICC Prosecutor - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Luis Moreno Ocampo, the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) had arguably the toughest single job in the world. Mrs Fatou Bensouda, Ocampo’s Deputy since 2004, has just won the right to succeed her boss. Bensouda, a former attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and head of the Prosecutions Division of the [...] read more
  December 5, 2011 2:22 pm - 2 Comments
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  Fiddling in Durban: COP 17 and the minor issue of climate change - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The NZ election is out of the way and we are all suddenly busy in Wellington setting ourselves up for the 50th Parliament. Asset sales, tax reform, benefits, superannuation, debt, the privacy of a public cup of tea – have riveted us for the past month or so – straight after the rugby. In the [...] read more
  November 30, 2011 9:42 am - 30 Comments
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  Shooting at One’s Feet (US Style) on Palestine - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  On Tuesday I welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Assembly to recognise Palestine as an independent state. That decision reflects the majority international view that the Palestinian people deserve to be represented as a state at the international level. Murray McCully is yet to give a credible explanation for NZ’s abstention from the vote. [...] read more
  November 4, 2011 12:58 pm - 14 Comments
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  ‘Debating’ Foreign Policy: National and Green - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Yesterday, the NZ Institute of International Affairs held an important one-day seminar on ‘The Major Economic and Foreign Policy Issues facing New Zealand, 2012-17’. The programme is here. Some excellent presentations were made, especially by Rick Boven (NZ Institute) and Duncan Currie (oceans consultant). There were three political representatives. The Minister spoke at 8.45 am. [...] read more
  October 23, 2011 10:42 am - 3 Comments
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  Reforming the NZ Parliament - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The 49th Parliament ended yesterday.  All 122 MPs have headed home.  Most are already preparing for the election. The three years have been a fascinating experience for me.  The most frequent question people have asked is, “are you enjoying it?”; to which I reply, “I am glad I am there”. I am glad I am [...] read more
  October 7, 2011 5:12 pm - 3 Comments
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  On Climate Change: Tuvalu and Panama - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Just as international talks on climate change are taking place in Panama this week to prepare for the annual Conference of Parties (COP17) in Durban at the end of this year, Tuvalu is experiencing a fresh water crisis. We can expect more climate-related crises and refugees as time goes by, even if we do get [...] read more
  October 4, 2011 4:18 pm - 41 Comments
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  How many jobs will oil and gas bring NZ? - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  On Tuesday the Government released the final version of its backwards-looking energy strategy. Of passing note is the removal of any overt reference to lignite coal.  Of course bioenergy could be code for it, or ‘alternative transport fuels’ (the Energy Outlook 2010 specifically cites lignite diesel as an alternative transport fuel with potential.) But basically [...] read more
  September 1, 2011 12:30 pm - 24 Comments
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  The Lignite Mirror Maze - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  If the Ministry of Economic development can join the Coal Association to lobby the Government, should the Environment Ministry not join the Wind Association to do the same? read more
  July 15, 2011 9:35 am - 7 Comments
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  From the Depths of Hell – a Vision of Heaven - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  In my last blog post, I reported on my 2nd public forum for the rebuild of Christchurch.  I held it in New Brighton, one Sunday, 12 June – prehistory. Post-June 13th, Christchurch has changed. The 5.7 and 6.3 shattered not just brick and stone but flesh and soul. And then Tuesday’s 5.3, along with its [...] read more
  June 22, 2011 11:01 am - 3 Comments
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  Visions for Christchurch - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  On Sunday, I convened the 2nd of my series of Vision Christchurch public forums.  Their aim is to engage the public in the challenge of rebuilding greater Christchurch.  This one was held in New Brighton and concentrated on Christchurch East.  What a difference a day makes. Within 20 hours of finishing our meeting in which [...] read more
  June 16, 2011 10:07 am - 16 Comments
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  Another hard day in shake city - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  As you will know by now we were hit once again in Christchurch with two more earthquakes. We were fortunate that no one was killed – for that we can be thankful. On behalf of the Green Party, our thoughts go out to the people hurt yesterday and those whose houses, businesses and lives suffered [...] read more
  June 14, 2011 10:46 am - 3 Comments