PM rejects ASEAN non-aggression treaty (Howard Gov/Australia Will Take Out Terrorists Anywhere)

abc.net.au ^

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

The Howard Government has rejected calls from South East Asian nations to sign a treaty renouncing the use of force in the region.

During the federal election campaign, Prime Minister John Howard repeated his commitment to launch an attack against terrorists abroad if they were planning to strike Australian interests and the host country refused to act.

Next week Mr Howard will become the first Australian Prime Minister to attend an ASEAN summit.

At the meeting in Laos, he hopes to start negotiations for a free trade deal with the 10 ASEAN member nations.

ASEAN leaders want Australia to support the treaty as a prerequisite to any future bilateral agreements with Australia.

Mr Howard says the treaty in not on the agenda.

"It is not the sort of treaty we, being a non-ASEAN country, would normally sign," Mr Howard said.

"We're more interested in the substance of our relationship with countries in the ASEAN region."

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono earlier this month ruled out letting Australia carry out pre-emptive strikes against terrorists on Indonesian soil.

Foreign minister Alexander Downer has played down tensions between Australia and South East Asian nations over the Government's refusal to sign the treaty.

"[The] history of this is that it was first signed in 1976," he said.

"Australian Governments traditionally haven't signed the treaty of amity and co-operation because of the alliance relationship Australia has with the United States.

"Also because the treaty provides for an ASEAN formulation which is non-interference in internal affairs, making it impossible for any Australian Government for example to criticise Burma's human rights issues," he said.

Labor's Kevin Rudd argues other neighbouring nations have already signed up.

"Australia should also give this treaty positive consideration as well," he said

Mr Rudd thinks Mr Howard is acting arrogantly.

The non-aggression pact has already been agreed to by a number of other regional players including China, India, Pakistan and Japan.

ASEAN is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

[NZerFromHK]

Potential troublemakers like Indonesia, Malaysia, failed or failing states like the Philippines, East Timor, Laos, Cambodia, states that could go in chaos like Vietnam, Thailand, not to mention PRC puppet state Burma...

who says Southeast Asia is one post-hitorical paradise?

[NZerFromHK]

So it is a good one for Howard - stand firm in front of 500 million: we will not be intimidated.

[Ginifer]

"Mr Rudd thinks Mr Howard is acting arrogantly" - No Mr Rudd, Mr Howard is acting like a leader should; and he knows there is no bargaining with terrorist or nations who harbor them.