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[Voice of Reason]

New Zealand refuses visa for Israeli officer

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/15/content_2698524.htm

WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The New Zealand government confirmed Tuesday it had refused to allow a senior Israeli military officer to visit New Zealand.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said Israeli Deputy Chief ofStaff Major-General Gabi Ashkenazi was refused a visa for a one-day trip because of the freeze on high-level contact announced after the arrest of two Israeli agents on passport fraud charges.

"It was denied on the basis of the announced policy by the New Zealand government that there would not be high level contact," Goff said on National Radio.

"That is the policy we are sticking to," he said.