[asia-apec 1148] NZ: SIS targets immigrant groups as Apec nears

[Gatt Watchdog]

Lead item, Evening Post (Wellington, NZ) 9.6.99

SIS targets immigrant groups as Apec nears
by Brent Edwards, Political Editor

Immigrant groups in Wellington are being monitored by the Security
Intelligence Service in the lead-up to the Apec leaders' meeting
in Auckland later this year.

SIS officers have been visiting immigrant groups in the capital
over the last few months to establish how many are here and
whether members of specific immigrant groups meet regularly.  Arab
and Serbian migrants have received visits.

One woman said a man interviewing her husband identified himself
as an SIS officer and asked whether they knew about the Apec
(Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) meeting.

SIS head General Donald McIver today confirmed that groups had
been approached.  He said in a statement that as part of the SIS's
responsibility for security in the runup to Apec, it had been
talking to members of various community groups over the past six
months.

"We have been talking to them to see if they have any concerns
about security issues.  For the most part people have told us that
they have appreciated the opportunity to talk with us and have
found our approach reassuring," he said.  Both Mrs Shipley and
Miss Clark are aware of the SIS's approach.

Alliance MP Matt Robson said today he would be very concerned if
the SIS was making such visits.  The police should be making those
inquiries and informing people of their right not to answer
questions.

Mr Robson said many migrants were vulnerable.  They did not know
New Zealand law, English was their second language and they were
often still going through immigration procedures to get full
residency.

"I would be concerned if there was an assumption because you came
from the Middle East or you are Muslim or you are anything the SIS
might consider out of the ordinary that you automatically become a
suspect.  They should not work from that basis."

Mr Robson said the SIS's record was such that it categorised
people on the basis of assumption, not proof.

Green co-leader Rod Donald said the SIS's involvement was
"obnoxious".  Mrs Shipley should instruct the SIS to stop
harassing people.

"It is totally inappropriate where there is no suspicion of any
illegal activity for the SIS to go fishing."

Labour leader Helen Clark, who is a member of Parliament's
intelligence and security committee responsible for monitoring
the SIS's activities, said it was acceptable for the SIS to
investigate possible threats to leaders before the Apec meeting.

"In the end New Zealand would not want as assassination or an
attempted assassination on its hands.  That justifies
precautionary measures but not a blanket sweep," she said.

Mrs Shipley would not comment.