Posted on 03/15/2006 2:15:01 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins her first official visit to Australia today with security talks in Sydney.
Dr Rice landed in Sydney overnight after jetting in from Indonesia, and was whisked away in a car convoy accompanied by a helicopter security escort.
Her schedule for coming days includes bilateral meetings with Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, as well as the first ministerial-level trilateral security dialogue between Australia, the US and Japan.
The growing influence of China, regional security, the Iraq war and tensions on the Korean peninsula are also on the agenda.
The Federal Government has tried to soothe Chinese concerns that Saturday's meeting between the three allies is aimed at containing China's growing regional power.
Dr Rice reignited Chinese doubts about the security dialogue when she suggested the three allies had a responsibility to play a role in how China's influence affected the region.
Mr Downer yesterday promised the security talks were not about dampening China's growing influence in the region.
Never a better friend than Australia
This is awesome. Australia is our top Western hemisphere ally and we couldn't ask for better.
Crikey.....
I hope Howard can straighten her out a wee bit when it comes to that "benevolent" religion of islam.
Agree!
and I hope Rice can straigten out Howard when it comes to letting the people of Oz have their guns back.
Code for mutual 'strategic threat'.
Ditto that!
Wow I thought she was going to Indoensia that is AD
I agree with other Freeper John Howard need to chat nice long chat about Muslums with her
Tactical considerations prevent the Religion of War being called so. Is that so hard to figure out?
I notice in another thread a few posters who are tring to test the friendship. Perhaps they are underestimating their capacity to succeed.
Yes, I saw that too. Don't understand where that is coming from. The poster has only been registered with FR for two days.
They are very foolish and hurting the US. The last thing I would like to see is Australia become another Canada when it comes to relations with the US. However, if Aussies start seeing posts like that it could happen.
I second that emotion, especially since the UK is making noises that they wont stand beside us when it comes to dealing with Iran.
Only problem is there are some posters at this site that will soon test Australian/US relations if Australians, and the Australian media in particular, get wind of the attitudes being expressed. I note that one of the posters is new to the site. As one of the few countries to support the US in Iraq, as about the only country that supported the US during Vietnam, Australians would have every right to be angry.
Take a look at some of the comments. Can you imagine what the "Sydney Morning Herald" could do with this type of thing?
I noticed there is a self-professed realpolitik guy on a thread about Australia-China-etc agreeing with all the China-awe comments. As an ethnic Chinese I'm just laughing out loud at his ignorance of real China.
I'm referring to the FRer "ponder life" BTW.
I think I know the one you mean. Somewhere there is one about Australia relying for Britain for defence up until World War 2. I split my sides when I read that one.
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