[Dundee]

"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.

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).

[Just mythoughts]

"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)."

The clintons did seduce Indonesia. You guys hang tough, prayers for the protectors of "FREEDOM".

[MEG33]

Thank God for our Aussie allies.

[KangarooJacqui]

You (Australia) police the Pacific: US

*ahem*... no shit, Sherlock.

We've been doing it for decades. Nice to know the big boys up in Washington are finally big enough to acknowledge the fact.

Does this mean they won't raise a New Zealand flag next time one of our major politicians/digniatries meets a Washington bootlicker on the lawn of the WhiteHouse?

And before I get flamed, something akin to the above incident did happen in the 1980's... and I'm feeling rather bitter and cynical tonight (even towards my friends, so excuse the sharpness.)