Fed: Too early to talk war on Iraq - NZ PM

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Fed: Too early to talk war on Iraq - NZ PM

CANBERRA, Feb 17 AAP - It was too early to consider war against Iraq given the latestround of weapons inspections began less than three months ago, New Zealand Prime MinisterHelen Clark said today.

Anti-war protests in New Zealand were far smaller than those in Australia's capitalcities, although most New Zealanders felt war was a last resort, Ms Clark said.

She said her government was in tune with the views of the public that diplomacy shouldbe used to disarm Iraq.

"The general feeling would be that only two and a half months into this round of inspectionswas too early to be talking about war," Ms Clark told Southern Cross Radio.

New Zealand would not endorse any action against Iraq without United Nations sanction,Ms Clark said.

While she understood the growing impatience with Iraq, her government would stand bythe United Nations.

"We've taken a different position from the Australian government," Ms Clark said.

"We've said very clearly that we cannot support action taken by nations against Iraqoutside the framework of the United Nations."

New Zealand was a strong supporter of collective decision making through the UN andupholding the international rule of law, Ms Clark said.

"We understand the impatience that's felt because of the string of UN resolutions goingback to 1991 dealing with Iraq and Iraq would try the patience of a saint," Ms Clark said.

"I think what's very important is Iraq not misunderstand the views and motives of thoseof us who are arguing for all diplomatic means to be used."

If the UN were to pass a resolution authorising force, New Zealand would consider makinga contribution.

"What New Zealand has focused on is if there's a war with or without UN sanction, ourrole would probably be at the end stage when the international system is trying to pickup the pieces of the shattered infrastructure and social system of Iraq," Ms Clark said.

The chances of war were high but pressure must be maintained on Iraq to comply withweapons inspectors.

AAP sal/sb/rsm/ts

KEYWORD: IRAQ CLARK