Goff says culprits will “almost certainly” be executed
September 19th, 2008 at 6:06 am by David FarrarThere’s a fine line between predicting and being seen to advocate. I am not sure it is helpful for Phil Goff to have said:
Trade Minister Phil Goff expects severe punishment for those criminally responsible for China’s contaminated milk scandal – but he doesn’t think Fonterra’s representatives at San Lu should join the growing list of arrests made by Chinese authorities.
Fonterra has three directors who sit on the San Lu board and as arrests in the milk powder scandal multiplied yesterday, Mr Goff said it was “almost certain” the people who added the chemical melamine to milk would be executed.
I really don’t know why Goff thought it was necessary to say that, as the Chinese Government could see that as diplomatic code for condoning such executions.
Related posts:
- Death sentences in milk scandal
- Goff says Goff was wrong
- Sense from Goff
- The Government and Fonterra
September 19th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Another gaff from Goff. Big Panda not happy. Bang,bang.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Does the China Free Trade Agreement preclude New Zealand citizens from prosecution in China? Somehow I doubt it.
Is New Zealand now going to profit like crazy from the FTA with China in that small window of opportunity we have between now and when the Green’s/Labour shut down the economy thanks to the ETS?
Tis the season for TRUST.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 7:19 am
We seem to have been hearing a lot from Mr Goff lately.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 7:46 am
China as we know does make examples of senior executives in cases like these. It’s most unlikely they will touch NZ citizens since that would have a devasting effect on the foreign investment in China but Chinese San Lu executives are most definitely at risk.
I don’t really see why Goff felt a need to make his comment but on the other hand I don’t think he’s opened the door to any Chinese action they would have otherwise held off on making.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 7:54 am
How the fuck can Labour snuggle up to China, condone their policy of capital punishment, yet at home they wail like seagulls at anyone who suggests the same for here, and are constantly pissing on America – a country that supports liberal democracy?
They’re criminally insane!
and fuck are they dense!
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Goff’s mindless hatred of entrepreneurs means he would have them executed if he thought it politically feasible.
But it is not so instead he cheerleads for his Chinese Communist mates to do the same and dreams of a day when he will be able to.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Goff will be commending Saudi law enforcement next.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 8:39 am
More likely to be photographed holding hands with them OECD.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Execution of poorly performing management staff- all a necessary part of any free trade agreement with totalitarian dictators.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
The other big issue that seems to have been ignored so far is whether formula is marketed honestly in China. As far as I can find out it appears that formula is being pushed (illegally) as better than breastmilk. If this is true Fonterra needs to stamp this out, as although there is short-term financial gain to be made through this dishonesty the long-term effects on the reputation of our agriculture could be disastrous. And whatever the quality of the milk, increasing formula use will have negative health effects.
Vote:http://sjdennis.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/formula-marketed-as-better-than-breastmilk-in-china/
September 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
The reality is he is probably correct. IF you get shot for poisoning some American pooches what happens for killing babies?
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I think Goff was telling it how he sees it. The ‘loss of face’ and the need to take the heat off Chinese Government mismanagement/corruption means that San Lu’s (Chinese) management are ‘dead men walking’.
The only matter for debate is whether the executions will take place before or after the trial.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 9:51 am
The chinese are half right, the criminals responsible for this should definitely be executed. But not in country where you can have zero confidence of getting a fair trial and that the people in the dock are the ones really responsible.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 11:17 am
this one of the things I like about the PRC they dont muck about with crims particularly of the white collar variety.
If Mr Petrecivic Roest and Bryers where citizens of the PRC by now they would be in a wooden box with the number of lead holes in them.
It gives a whole new meaning to good corproate governance
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Well gd if you want to live in a country that executes people then why don’t you go there? Personally I’m quite happy to lock some people up for the remainder of their life and I wish we did that more often.
Killing someone except in self-defence is unacceptable anywhere, anytime.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I don’t see why someone that sexually molests then murders a toddler should continue to breathe oxygen, let alone burden the taxpayer for the rest of their days. (not saying these guys did that, but just that there are crimes that are so heinous that I have to disagree with reid)
In fact for these sorts of crimes I’d fully support a return to hanging drawing and quartering, or if anyone can think of a more painful and prolonged death, then that. Maybe a slow steamroller, or cheesegrater.
As long as there is of course absolutely zero doubt that they did it. That’s always the hard bit.
Vote:September 19th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Goff really showed how unprofessional and amaetur he is with those remarks.
He’s revealing himself as a chinese communist buddy, in his own mind.
Certainly get communications from them, but not that insightful.
I do think there should be examples made at the top though.
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