An open letter to Tame Iti

Much has been written and many hands have been wrung in recent weeks over the Police action in Ruatoki and other parts of the country after they took the decision to rein in what they feared were fledgling terrorist cells right here in our midst. There has been criticism of the way the raids were carried out, and that police action was 'over the top' in the face of a few 'peaceful activists' and 'hunters'. Well, here's an alternative approach, and what I think Police might have sent as an open letter to the 'Urewera 17'.

"Dear Tame and Friends

We gather you are currently engaged in a pretty extensive and demanding training regime, and heavily committed to acquiring, for use at a later date, ammunition, AK47s and explosives for a series of peaceful protests that might just happen to include killing the odd Pakeha, a senior politician or two and blowing up a bit of stuff here and there in New Zealand.

Now, we know what you're going to say, it's all a white colonialist plot to stigmatise and demonise the poor oppressed and misunderstood white and brown activists who want nothing more than to quietly separate themselves from the dictatorial rule of the democratically elected government, and indeed the racist and oppressive people of Aotearoa. But, as you know, there are those who inexplicably believe you are off your rocker, and as such shouldn't be allowed to have such toys in your closet.

We were thinking of popping by, say on Monday morning at about, um, say 11, and were wondering if you could find the time to have all of your weapons and explosives and munitions carefully packed in crates for us to pick up, and if you could please have the 17 persons including yourself lined up ready for us to make a peaceful arrest. Now, before you say it we know what you're thinking - how are you going to hold your head up as a respectable terrorist leader next time you meet with Fidel Castro, or George Speight or Mr Quaddaffi if you are seen to be meekly surrendering and handing over all your weapons?

Of course we accept some of your people would like to whisk some of the munitions away, so here's what we propose. We are obliged, according to best international practice, to cordon off and contain the area of operational interest, to search vehicles and persons trying to enter or exit the zone, but we've decided we don't want to cause undue stress to the community so we will give you an assurance we won't block roads, search vehicles or people, and we won't check the identity of those exiting the scene. That means you won't have to bury your laptops or guns or IRA Manual, just put a few items on a school bus and everything will be fine.

Sorry to have bothered you, see you Monday. Regards, Police."

Yeah right.

Ron Mark MP