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US Marine visit could see Lambton Quay march

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Fri, 22 Jul 2011 5:45a.m. UPDATED 11:08AM

On the agenda will also be military developments in Afghanistan (Reuters)

On the agenda will also be military developments in Afghanistan (Reuters)

The Prime Minister has confirmed a historic visit by US marines is on the cards as he kicks-off a day of meetings in Washington.

The visit will be timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the marines landing in Wellington during World War 2.

The marines will be here in a ceremonial role only and they will not take part in military exercises with the New Zealand military. A march through Lambton Quay could be on the cards and would be a powerful symbol of strengthening ties with the US.

During the war around 50,000 marines based themselves in Wellington to help protect New Zealand from a potential attack from Japan.

The US Coastguard has also been invited in a diplomatic move championed by New Zealand's ambassador to Washington Mike Moore.

John Key was able to confirm the visit after meeting with American Defence Secretary Leon Panetta this morning.

On the agenda will also be military developments in Afghanistan.

The United States has previously banned military training or exercises in New Zealand because of anti-nuclear legislation.

In 2009 the US dropped it's ban on military exercises and the relationship between the two countries is virtually restored.

Visits by the US Navy are still not in the offing though.

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Comments

24 Jul 2011 04:37p.m.

clinton wrote:

Any country who deals big time with America very openly like Key is doing making it news all around the world?this is just inviting the terrorists too hit New Zealand,as we have some 30,000 Iraqi living here for the start,also many other foreigners who could send the message out to America.RWO maybe the start.We are not like Japan and South Korea where there are thousands of american troops stationed there,by the time the Yanks got down here,a whole city could be wiped out.

24 Jul 2011 01:49p.m.

johnmillan wrote:

Key is all bullshit,The 50,000 marines based themselves in Wellington,they were based all over NZ,One of my Aunties met up with one of them and went back to America where they married and lived in North Carolina,they met in Wanganui where he was based with his platoon.And one of the larger camps were set up at Mckays crossing,just North of Paekakariki and their dump was where the tramway museum is and Queen Elizabeth park.That is where they dumped every thing, buried in the sand before departing NZ.The terraces can still be seen on the hills over looking the old Paekakariki rail yards.

23 Jul 2011 05:07p.m.

Wills wrote:

If the sh@t hits the fan I'd call China for help. Assuming of course that China isn't the one throwing sh@t at us.

23 Jul 2011 12:31p.m.

Davo wrote:

@Clarke - that's one of the most idiotic comments I've ever heard.

22 Jul 2011 08:45p.m.

Paul wrote:

I'm with Kiwi Jack, we need the US, cause when the sh!t hits the fan, Who ya gunna call?? Ghost busters!!! Maybe we could send Hone to defend us.

22 Jul 2011 07:14p.m.

nigel wrote:

Kiwi Jack said it rather well, without the Americans the freedom we enjoy today would be non existent !

22 Jul 2011 05:35p.m.

cherie wrote:

john key is the worst pm ever,he has an entourage bigger than idi amin and they are crawling all over him for the next trip overseas. sickening,he has not even seen obama yet he is making announcements about american interests.
did he take the airforce again and spend a billion on his oe. the country has rising poverty and he is walking around like a president with espinar and garner leading watkins and
soper and all the nats reporters around like sheep.

22 Jul 2011 04:44p.m.

Wolfman wrote:

Oh my god, the Loony Left are in great form today. I bet these same losers would want the Yanks to come to our aid if we were attacked. But then again you would most probably have Minto and Locke throwing stones at the attackers along with the othe left losers.

22 Jul 2011 04:06p.m.

Kiwi Jack wrote:

It's about time we had some common sense on this issue.
We simply need the Americans like the Australians do.
If our countries came under the threat of attack by Indonesia or China we'd have to look to America for some sort of support or to jump to our defence.
With this ridiculous situation where we won't let American nuclear powered ships enter our ports is loony leftie rubbish that should never have been agreed.
We should become an American base for their army, navy and airforce to secure our own interests and security in the Pacific and the rest of the world. Good on JK for this one, but I want more.

22 Jul 2011 03:52p.m.

Ryan wrote:

Unless it's ANZAC day, we're at war, or there's a state of emergency I don't want to see our own military marching through the streets - let alone another countries (particularly the US). What kind of message does that send to our countries around the world who aren't on the best terms with the US?!