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Down Under
New Zealand police mum on suspected 'terrorist' targets raids
2007-10-16
New Zealand police refused to confirm on Tuesday reports that Prime Minister Helen Clark had been targeted by a paramilitary group, which has also reportedly tested a napalm bomb and trained dissidents planning terrorist attacks. There were reports that a specific threat had been made recently against Clark, who would not comment although she confirmed that police had briefed her.

A police anti-terrorist squad launched a coordinated nationwide series of raids on suspects Monday, arresting 17 people and seizing a range of military-style assault rifles, Molotov cocktails and other weapons.
A cabinet meeting was told that police had monitored a group calling itself the Freedom Fighters that had held training camps in the remote Urewera mountain range, traditional home of the indigenous Maori Tuhoe tribe, for more than a year.
A cabinet meeting was told that police had monitored a group calling itself the Freedom Fighters that had held training camps in the remote Urewera mountain range, traditional home of the indigenous Maori Tuhoe tribe, for more than a year. Police chief Howard Broad said that he ordered the raids because "there was a significant risk and I deemed it prudent to act now rather than allow this risk to continue."

The highest profile arrest was that of prominent Maori rights campaigner Tame Iti, 55, who appeared in court charged with possessing firearms. Iti, who has demanded independence for what he calls the "Tuhoe nation," was convicted of shooting a New Zealand flag in public in 2005 but his conviction was overturned on appeal.

Broad said people who attended the training camps had different motivations and were from different ethnicities. Reports said they included environment campaigners and members of so-called peace groups. He said there were no known international connections.

A napalm bomb - of the kind United States forces used during the Vietnam War - was detonated eight days ago in a guerrilla-style exercise at one of the training camps, Wellington's Dominion Post reported.
Posted by:Fred

#3  "...of the kind United States forces used during the Vietnam War ..."

Just had to get an anti-American jab in didn't they? Wonder what kind of plane they used to drop it, or did they just hit it with a hammer?
Posted by: AlanC   2007-10-16 19:41  

#2  Commissar Helen? Oh, the HUMANITY!
Posted by: mojo   2007-10-16 14:39  

#1  "was convicted of shooting a New Zealand flag in public in 2005"

Back off coppers! One move and the flag gets it!
Posted by: DanNY   2007-10-16 08:22  

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