Brownlee lying to the UN over Operation Burnham

Written By: - Date published: 6:36 am, June 12th, 2017 - 18 comments
Categories: accountability, afghanistan, Gerry Brownlee, national, war - Tags: , ,

The UN called for an investigation into Operation Burnham – as highlighted by Hager and Stephenson in Hit and Run – United Nations calls on NZ Government to fully investigate Afghan raid. Very inconvenient for the Nats who would rather sweep any dead civilians under the carpet and forget them.

Gerry Brownlee responds with his usual wisdom and tact – War of words as Brownlee rounds on UN question about Afghan raid and ‘inaccurate’ media

“Unfortunately, the issue raised by the committee is based on factual inaccuracies. The allegations made by Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson were disproven

That’s a lie. Beyond a minor error over map coordinates, which the authors acknowledged and corrected, nothing in Hit and Run has been “disproven”.

and the Chief of Defence Force held a press conference detailing the New Zealand Defence Force raid in Afghanistan.

Here’s a clue Gerry. An “investigation” doesn’t mean simply accepting the word of those being investigated. Especially when they have already changed their story under pressure. Don’t expect the UN to believe your lie, and don’t expect this issue to go away.

18 comments on “Brownlee lying to the UN over Operation Burnham ”

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  1. Ed 1
    12 June 2017 at 7:13 am

    Jon Stephenson speaking this weekend in Auckland.

    When: Sat 17 Jun 2017, 3:00pm–5:00pm
    Where: Grey Lynn Library, 474 Great North Rd,

    https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/hit-and-run-public-meeting-with-jon-stephenson/auckland/grey-lynn

  2. greg 2
    12 June 2017 at 7:43 am

    nacts go straight to cover up mode and attack the messenger totally predictable.
    the truth and national are like oil and water.

  3. Keith 3
    12 June 2017 at 8:06 am

    For a political party that simply does not do bad news and like the control freaks they are, bury everything, fail to respond to OIA’s and have a patsy corporate media on a leash, they and especially Joyce must be wondering how they are going to hide this one away.

    But will the UN naively accept a routine snow job non enquiry from the National Party?

  4. One Anonymous Bloke 4
    12 June 2017 at 8:10 am

    Brownlee’s bullshit is for domestic consumption. The response to the UN will be written by lawyers.

  5. Psycho Milt 5
    12 June 2017 at 8:40 am

    The response to the UN will be written by lawyers.

    Which will be a real test of their professional weaseling capabilities. Being a lawyer for a Nat government must be the legal equivalent of an Iron Man contest.

  6. Robert Guyton 6
    12 June 2017 at 8:49 am

    Taking a small hammer and plink, plink, plinking away at a rigid, inorganic crystaline structure eventually results in a spectacular shattering.

  7. ianmac 7
    12 June 2017 at 9:00 am

    Main Stream Media blazes great headlines:
    “Foreign Minister Lies To the Public!”
    “Government Defies UN!”
    “Government Colludes With Top Brass to Avoid Accountability!”
    “PM of NZ Forced to Resign after Misleading the Country!”

    Just dreaming.

  8. Gosman 8
    12 June 2017 at 11:34 am

    Oh no! The UN has asked us to investigate something. Whatever will we do?

    • Shona 8.1
      12 June 2017 at 1:35 pm

      Well Gossie they could always do the fucking job asked of them instead attempting yet another ham-fisted arse covering exercise led by an idiot.!

    • Muttonbird 8.2
      12 June 2017 at 1:46 pm

      Umm, Investigate?

      It’s funny how RWNJs love the idea of free trade, globalisation, cheap migrant labour, and the bringing together of peoples when theres a buck in it, but wet their pants at the idea of a global organisation tasked with the the well-being and fairness of all peoples regardless of wealth.

    • Robert Guyton 8.3
      12 June 2017 at 2:35 pm

      “The Committee Against Torture has released a list of questions for New Zealand to answer prior to an examination by the committee in Geneva.”

      Gosman: “Oh no! The UN has asked us to investigate something. Whatever will we do?”

      Answer the questions.
      There, Gosman, your anxiousness is eased.
      National’s: Bill’s and Gerry’s however, just rose several notches.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.4
      12 June 2017 at 2:58 pm

      Well, we could get some guts and actually investigate and, if any war crimes were committed, prosecute.

      Or we could do what the standard wimpy RWNJs want to do and bury our head in the sand.

  9. ianmac 9
    12 June 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Scoop published the main question:

    “27. Please indicate what measures the State party has put in place to ensure that all allegations relating to “Operation Burnham” –a raid of two villages in the Baghlan province in Afghanistan by the New Zealand Defence Forces on 22 August 2010– will be fully investigated and addressed.”

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1706/S00121/un-requires-nz-government-to-fully-investigate-afghan-raid.htm

    As Jerry says, it has been investigated and there is no need for further action. Huh!

    • Anne 9.1
      12 June 2017 at 4:05 pm

      As Jerry says, it has been investigated and there is no need for further action.

      Investigation starts:

      Jerry (isn’t it Gerry?) and Bill make brief phone call to Chief of Defence Force who says it’s all lies.

      Investigation ends.

      Said Chief is ex-SAS and sweeps under carpet with dirty great broom.

      UN well briefed on situation and considers next move. To be continued…

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