May 19, 2008

Saudi Blogger

Both Kiwiblog and Poneke have posts about an e-mail of thanks received from recently released Saudi blogger Fouad al-Farhan. Kiwiblog overstates our role we think. We simply asked MFAT etc the obvious questions. We are a bit ashamed that New Zealand did not appear to have done as much as the United States to secure Fouad al-Farhan's release. We remain very pleased that Fouad al-Farhan has been released and wish him and his family all the very best for the future. We hope that his Government is more tolerant of his activities in the future. We also hope that New Zealand will be more active in the support of free speech in countries where this is not allowed.