A number of groups are criticizing the distribution to New Zealand universities of a brochure aimed at deterring the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Christchurch Press reported yesterday (see GSN, April 8).
The head of the island nation's Security Intelligence Service provided university leaders with a letter and accompanying brochure, "A Guide to Weapons of Mass Destruction: Your Role in Preventing Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction."
The intelligence agency hopes that academic institutions would offer warnings of suspicious research that could promote WMD proliferation. Critics from organizations such as the Green Party say it is unlikely that any such science is occurring at New Zealand's universities.
"The SIS is showing signs of paranoia in order to please their United States masters, I suspect," said Rob Green, co-director of the Disarmament and Security Center.
Universities could risk their own independence and the promise of freedom of thought by becoming informers for the spy service, according to Tom Ryan, president of the Tertiary Education Union. Researchers might also fall under suspicion simply based on their nation of origin, religious beliefs or ethnic background, he argued.
"It just seems that SIS is really trying to make work for itself given there are no terrorists or really dangerous people in New Zealand," said Green Party official Keith Locke.
Agency chief Warren Tucker said that knowledge of engineering, mathematics or medicine could be put to weapons purposes.
"Many technologies currently studied in these areas have dual-use applications relevant to weapons of mass destruction," according to the SIS chief.
The brochure states that university faculty should be on watch for: "inquiries about enrolling students for, or seeking employment on, WMD-relevant research projects; applications for work or training in industry areas with potential WMD applications; requests to attend conferences and seminars on sensitive topics; requests from unknown individuals, institutions and companies for help and advice in a specific area of technology and/or technical process; requests relating to matters on which scientists, experts, research institutes and laboratory staff ... would not normally seek advice or information and for which unconvincing reasons or evasive explanations are given" (Tina Law, Christchurch Press, Nov. 18).