The government has come under increasing pressure here after Clark launched an attack on Washington's engagement in the Iraq war a week ago. She said the war might not have happened if Democratic nominee Al Gore had won the presidency instead of President George W. Bush.

That remark was followed by several others at a press conference where Clark shared her view that the US military campaign was not going well.

Last weekend, Clark's office said she had directed New Zealand's ambassador in Washington, John Wood, to offer an apology, saying her initial remarks had been misinterpreted and offence had been taken.

When Parliament Tuesday sat for the first time since the statements were made, the opposition were in uproar with Opposition Leader Bill English demanding: "What is the full text of her apology to the Bush administration for offence caused by her comments about the war in Iraq?"

Clark replied that she gave "verbal authorisation to convey my apology for the offence that had been taken."

A Goff spokesman said Wednesday that ambassador Wood had written to a senior official in the National Security Council who initially raised concerns about Clark's comments.

The letter outlined Clark's distress at learning her comments had caused offence and said that had not been her intention.

A version of the letter had also been sent to the US ambassador in Wellington, Charles Swindells, Goff's spokesman said.

English said Clark's refusal to confirm the existence of a letter Tuesday was a "disgraceful display of dishonesty".

SPACE.WIRE