Investigative journalist Nicky Hager has accused Prime Minister Bill English of joining “a seven-year cover-up” by refusing to hold an inquiry into a 2010 raid in Afghanistan.
Mr Hager and Jon Stephenson’s book Hit & Run claims six civilians were killed in a raid on two Afghan villages involving New Zealand’s SAS in 2010.
Mr English yesterday ruled out an inquiry after being briefed by the Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, and watching video footage of the operation shot by some of the aircraft involved.
But Mr Hager said it was “a joke” for Mr English to trust the military’s word.
“These are the people who are in trouble, so of course they don’t want an inquiry … No experienced minister should fall for that.”
He said the Prime Minister was being “irresponsible” by simply accepting the “selective information” he was shown.
Mr English encouraged anyone with further information to come forward, saying the Defence Force would legally have to investigate it.
But Mr Hager said he “would not recommend” that his sources speak out while the military was “obviously in cover-up mode”.
“I hope they will come forward in the fullness of time, but that will be in a professional, independent context – not in the middle of a cover-up.”
The Defence Force has said nine insurgents were killed in the raid, but last week said civilians may have died when a United States attack helicopter misfired.
Mr English said the footage of the raid backed up the Defence Force’s position. But he declined to release the video, saying it was “classified”.
Despite repeated questioning, he would not go into any detail about what the video showed, including whether the villagers were firing back or even armed.
“All the evidence is that coalition troops followed the rules of engagement to a degree of care that was pretty impressive,” he said.
Mr English described General Keating as independent, because he was not involved in the operation.
Mr Hager said that was “completely ludicrous”.
“Nobody would accept that from any other government agency and it’s actually an insult to the public to come up with that as an excuse.”
Labour leader Andrew Little said it was “laughable” for the Prime Minister to call General Keating independent.
“We’re entitled to be reassured that there is nothing being kept from the New Zealand public and that we can have full confidence in our defence forces.”
An independent inquiry was the only solution, said Mr Little.
United Future leader Peter Dunne said Mr English’s assurance was not enough to clear up the uncertainty.
“I’ve got no desire to disrespect the prime minister’s assessment. I respect his judgement. And he’s obviously seen information that other’s haven’t seen. But I think it’s probably important for public credibility to get some of that out into the public arena.”
-RNZ
