Nicky Hager explains his book, Other People's Wars - full interview

Email
Print

Nicky Hager explains his new book - full interview

3News NZ

Nicky Hager

Nicky Hager

New Zealand's real role in the 'War on Terror' is thought to have been uncovered.

Investigative writer Nicky Hager's latest book, Other People's Wars, has hit shelves and he's calling it the biggest leak in our military history.

In it he claims the Defence Force has deliberately kept Government ministers in the dark over some of its activities, including the main Kiwi contingent in Bamiyan who had actually been sent to help the Americans.

Mr Hager joined Firstline this morning for a talk about the book – watch the video.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

12/09/2011 4:09:58 p.m.

A wrote:

Geez they'll publish anything these days...
"In it he claims the Defence Force has deliberately kept Government ministers in the dark over some of its activities, including the main Kiwi contingent in Bamiyan who had actually been sent to help the Americans." OMG! How dare we help our allies! "Investiagative journalist"? That's even more of a joke than this book. As for the quote from the SAS soldier about how
“Every time we work with the [Americans] it is a risk. That was one of the reasons I agreed to talk to you”. Umm.. Hello! They're in a warzone! Keep your personal opinions to yourself, don't write a book about them.

12/09/2011 3:23:52 p.m.

Dave wrote:

Well tv3 for being a blind puppet

3/09/2011 5:05:37 p.m.

Mary wrote:

Do you really think that the CIA and the UN wants the people to know what they are really doing and why and what is really going on in Irag, Iran, Afghanistan, Egypt and elsewhere? "Most" all of the media is owned and controlled by the very gang that promotes these wars all in the name of democracy and fighting the big bad terrorists. Of course the New Zealand public needs to know how our military tax dollars are spent and to expose those who would keep us in the dark. Thanks Nicky Hager and let us put very little stock in what those say who want to claim you are a stupid idiot who needed to go over there in order to get the truth. Hager is doing a great job at exposing these power hungry idiots who think they are above the law. The CIA (and the UN) will show a very different side to any person or media that comes over there so getting the truth by going over there is likely not going to get you any truth at all. Go online and type in - George Carlin - THE TRUTH ABOUT WALL STREET AND WASHINGTON and listen to his 4 minute talk. Have an open mind and ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY.

3/09/2011 3:08:32 p.m.

Blake wrote:

Oli - come on, Viet Nam was a failure not because of the media at all but because it was the stupid and wrong thing to do. McNamara admitted it. Hagar is neither stupid nor writes fiction. His book will ruffle up the feathers of the elite and the U.N. and the pro-National group and those who want to push for this world agenda global governance. Hagar does not need to start with any premise or prove anything other than speak the truth that most people are unaware of. The US and others execute Iraqi civilians. The UN and Nato, work together, and are meant to look like the good guys. They promote terrorism and have a private agenda and using young men for horrible military actions all in the name of protecting Democracy, helping the people and fighting terrorism - what a load. Then, after bombing those countries, they bring in democracy and then go in and take over their resources and oil fields at the same time bringing in aid and all the BS that the UN dishes out. Thanks to the Hager's and all those who fight for the truth and then try and get the truth out to the people. Of course John Key would call what Hager writes fiction. He is part of the big boys club and the big plan. This global fight against the terrorists (FEMA AND HOMELAND SECURITY) is a cover for their activities and the people of the world have bought it and had their rights taken away (Patriot Act etc.) Lets's look at who the real terrorists really are. Check out Alan Watt and his free online radio shows and question all TV and media authorities and especially question all politicians and their agendas.

3/09/2011 2:53:38 p.m.

John wrote:

Hagar you are a total plonker totaly out of touch with real New Zealanders.

3/09/2011 11:14:55 a.m.

Oli wrote:

Well done Mr Hager, Once again you have put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion! Military operations are not black and white. This is non-conventional counter insurgency warfare not conventional warfare as we have seen in the latter part of the 20th century. Intel and it's use is collected via a multitude of sources that allow for operations to remain effective and keep our people safe, and that information is shared between all our allies not just the USA but all ISAF and NATO forces in theatre. Now your evidence is weak and inconclusive and you are basing your claims on this weak evidence being wildly manipulated to what you want to see. And regarding your comment on it being okay for the media and civilians to know what is going on because that never effected Vietnam........ I have studied the failure of the Vietnam conflict and one of the main reasons was over exposure by media! I support a level of transparency in government policies but in war I do not expect as an untrained civilian to be able to understand the how's and why's. Simply because it's easy for us thousands of kilometers away to say that something is wrong, try doing that whilst people shoot at you, again something Mr Hager overlooked by not gathering first hand evidence by going to Afghanistan. New Zealand operations are bound by the Geneva Convention, the Rules Of Engagement, and New Zealand Government Polices. I'm sorry Mr Hager but this is a world were there are people who would do unknown harm to thousands of innocent people both at home and overseas. And to question the operational standards of those that stand guard and protect us with weak and false information is simply not acceptable. Oh and as a closing note have you seen the pictures of the NZPRT work? The Medical Clinics, infrastructure projects and disposing of dangerous munitions so that children can play in the fields? Because that's a large portion of their work.

2/09/2011 8:37:38 p.m.

Vernona St John wrote:

We need a Head of State who would denounce the idea of losing NZ life, limb and taxes in wars for the NeoCons.
Sadly our G. General is not of that calibre. No NZer should be dieing in any war for. They are free to enlist themselves. They dont.

2/09/2011 5:38:22 p.m.

Bob wrote:

Hagar, Do you know how stupid you sound? basically you wrote your book based on photos of people in dark glasses who clearly can't be anything else but CIA, (not just civilian employees wearing glasses because they are in the middle of the desert) and facebook pages or from ex service personel who were likely taken out of context. If you want to write a book on this you should actually go to Afghan! maybe interview the CIA??? get their point of view. you clearly have friends in high places so this shouldn't be a problem.

2/09/2011 5:35:10 p.m.

Ian wrote:

I've been there and done it...and I have had embedded journos in some places, the general public does not need to know our tactics and how we gather intel. Globalisation affects the military too, and if you are reporting to a foreign senior officer who is in command then that is the SOP of the day. Hager is a numpty....americans in dark glasses? he has read too many spy novels. Let's focus on Cpl Doug (SAS) RIP not on this.

2/09/2011 3:14:26 p.m.

John wrote:

Well said JD, Hager's to scared to leave the comforts of his cespit to actually see what our forces are doing, this isn't a campfire tree huggy situation, those troops are in the thick of it and should have as much support from whoever provides the best intelligence to keep them safe and bring them home in one piece, wake up Hager, and smell reality.