They sure know how to build a modern ship! Our navies work quite well together...
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Frederick McCahan
Posted on 03/05/2004 2:42:50 AM PST by Dundee
You police the Pacific: US
THE US has formally recognised Australia's role as South Pacific policeman in the war on terror - but Canberra wants more back-up in the region from its superpower ally.
Washington says Australia's professionalism in leading military coalitions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands has given the US confidence that it can let Canberra lead the way in future regional conflicts and assistance missions.
But Australia, while generally happy with the direction of the 53-year-old ANZUS alliance, wants the US to take a more active role in providing financial and training support for Southeast Asian countries to combat the war on terror - particularly Indonesia.
Washington's recognition of Canberra's role comes in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the Australia-US defence relationship. In its submission, the US for the first time recognises John Howard's so-called Pacific doctrine of primarily fighting the war on terror in Australia's own backyard.
The US government submission, prepared by Washington's embassy in Canberra, says the experience of Australians and Americans working together in Afghanistan and Iraq, and conducting at least 37 training exercises over the past two years, meant the coalition partners had "a very good idea of what capabilities the other possesses".
"This confidence level in each other's abilities has allowed the US to play a supporting or non-military role in some recent regional conflicts, deferring to the Australians' professionalism and keen understanding of the region," it says.
"The very proximity of Australia to terrorist-threatened nations in Southeast Asia means that a ready first-response neighbour is on hand to help in crisis situations."
Australia also acknowledges its new role in its own submission to the inquiry.
"The US recognises the stabilising role that Australia plays in the Southwest Pacific.
"It recognises that in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands (and now PNG) ... Australia does the heavy lifting in terms of security assistance, foreign aid, humanitarian relief and economic support," it says.
The US also says in its submission that it will remain "fully engaged in the Asia-Pacific region working proudly alongside its Australian ally", consulting Canberra about realigning its forces in the region.
Washington also nominates efforts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program as the most pressing threat to security in the region, but it also says it values Australia's leadership in its relations with Indonesia.
But Australia says in its submission that "in terms of the war on terror, Australia remains particularly keen to see more US engagement in the Southeast Asian region".
"Australia and the US can co-operate in providing support to regional agencies to combat terrorism," it says.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said last night that Australia was particularly keen to have the US more heavily involved in supporting counter-terrorism efforts in Indonesia.
"The US is a force for stability, and in Indonesia, for example, we would like to see them be even more active in what they are doing," he said.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute director Hugh White said last night that the US comments represented clear recognition that after East Timor, Australia was more than capable of leading coalitions to restore stability in its own backyard.
"There's no doubt Australia is playing, and is expected to play in future, a leadership role both diplomatically and militarily in its own region in the war on terror.
"You can read this as US recognition of the Howard doctrine that Australia's role is not one of giving open-ended commitments to conflicts on the other side of the world, but looking to play that lead role close to home," Mr White said.
Reinforcing Australia's role, the Prime Minister met with both New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Alan Kamekeza this week to discuss progress in efforts to restore law and order in Pacific nations.
There's only so much Australia can do with Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim country) and in some areas the US can do things we can't (mostly because Indonesia distrusts Australia MUCH more than they do the US).
They sure know how to build a modern ship! Our navies work quite well together...
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Frederick McCahan
No worries KJ, I vaguely recall the incident here. The US State Department isn't headquartered at a place called "Foggy Bottom" for nothing. Those bozos couldn't find their bottoms in a fog with both hands.
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way."
- John Paul Jones
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