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New Zealand, Wednesday, September 15,
2004
David Irving not
allowed to board NZ-bound flight -
Immigration
Controversial historian David
Irving is almost certain to be stopped from getting
on an aircraft heading for New Zealand from America
later this week.
The
holocaust
denier has said he was
determined to visit New Zealand this week to speak
to the National Press Club despite a Government
ban.
He said earlier today he would get on a plane in
Los Angeles on Thursday [September 16].
But Irving's name has been on an Immigration
Services computer alert for several weeks since the
Government said he would not be allowed into the
country, after being banned from Canada 13 years
ago.
 The
Immigration Service said today his name was on the
Advanced Passenger Screening System to which all
the world's airlines subscribed, including Qantas
on which Irving is believed to have booked a
flight.
Immigration Service spokeswoman, Michelle
Williams (right) said airlines were
aware that a banned person would not be allowed to
land and would have to be returned at the airline's
cost.
"There will be an alert against his name and
they will prevent him from boarding.
"It is put on by us. It is a computer system
which is used throughout the world," Ms Williams
said.
It was "very unlikely" Qantas would allow Mr
Irving to board the aircraft in Los Angeles.
"It doesn't matter where he tries to get on. If
he is trying to get to New Zealand the alert stands
so he won't be able to enter," Ms Williams
said.
Mr Irving said he would check into the Qantas
desk in Los Angeles on Thursday evening (American
time).
 He
accused Prime Minister Helen Clark and
deputy prime minister Michael Cullen
(left) of being determined to kill free
speech in New Zealand by saying he should stay
away.
"By the time this case
comes up in the New Zealand courts a year will
have passed and they will be in the middle of an
election battle.
"And I hope the New Zealand electorate remembers
which government stamped on free speech," Mr Irving
told National Radio from Denver, Colorado, where he
is to speak at a university.
"Why can the Americans hear me, American
university students hear me. . . and yet your prime
minister prevents New Zealanders from hearing
me?
"What's going on there? Do you have free speech
or not in your country? Do you have a Bill of
Rights or not? Section 13, section 14 of the
Bill of
Rights, I recommend your Prime Minister has a
look at them one day."
He said he would be seeking other legal avenues
rather than seeking ministerial permission to enter
New Zealand.
 Auckland
immigration lawyer Colin Amery, who is
acting for Mr Irving, wrote to Prime Minister Helen
Clark (right) today in an attempt to get Mr
Irving into the country.
Mr Amery declined to say on what grounds he was
basing his appeal to the Prime Minister.
He also said other legal options would be
considered.
"I can't say any more than that and I will
consult with him (Irving) today."
Mr Amery claimed the Advanced Passenger
Screening System was installed as a result of the
Ahmed Zaoui case.
Mr Zaoui, an Algerian asylum-seeker, has been
held in an Auckland prison since December, 2002,
amid fears he was a threat to national
security.
"That system was brought in because of the Zaoui
case to stop people getting on planes who were
allegedly terrorists.
"Now it is being used to stop people getting on
planes whose opinions this Government doesn't
like," Mr Amery said.
He earlier told National Radio Mr Irving was
challenging the validity of the Canadian ban on
him.
"Miss Clark has pre-empted and waived his right
to come here by her statement."
Mr Amery said he was not an advocate of Mr
Irving's holocaust claims.
"But I am an advocate in relation to free speech
and I am afraid he has a point." 
Dossier:
attempts by New Zealand Jews to stop David
Irving's 2004 visit
FAQ:
Answers to frequently asked questions about Mr
Irving's visit
Dossier:
The Books of David Irving: Free
downloads
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write to David
Irving