Antinuclear

Questions: nuclear submarines for Darwin? Greens, China, Indonesia – all want answers

We need more details of US build-up: Brown, SMH, 17 Nov 11,  Australian Greens leader Bob Brown fears nuclear submarines could be stationed off the coast of Australia as part of a US military build-up in the Top End……
The expansion of the existing collaboration between the Australian Defence Force and the US Marine Corps and US Air Force will allow America to enhance its presence in the Asia-Pacific region

Senator Brown wants to see more details of the deal, announced jointly by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and US President Barack Obama on Wednesday. He also wants a parliamentary debate on the deal. “I object to Australian people and parliament not knowing what the details are,” Senator Brown told ABC radio on Thursday.

“We need to see the detail about the submarines … potentially nuclear submarines.” The Greens leader also is concerned that US military aircraft will be allowed to use Australian territory for bombing ranges.

He believes Washington made the request and Canberra agreed. “They’re here to offset the rising military power of China,” Senator Brown said, adding that it was also in America’s economic interest. They’re not here for Australia’s safety.”

The announcement has been questioned by China and Indonesia. A foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said China would never enter such military alliances. “We believe that there should be real actions to further strengthen
co-operation with the two sides,” he told ABC Radio…. Mr Liu said China was actively promoting peaceful international
development and called on other nations to adopt the same attitude. He also queried whether it was appropriate to extend the military alliance between Australia and the US.

“Whether it suits the common interests of countries around the region and the whole international community remains under question.” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has warned the decision could provoke a negative reaction.

“What I would hate to see is if such developments were to provoke a reaction and counter-reaction precisely to create that vicious circle of tensions and mistrust or distrust,” he told ABC Radio……

ZIndependent MP Tony Windsor is concerned about extra US troops in Australia and shares concerns about the potential of nuclear submarines being stationed in Australian waters. “I’m always a bit nervous about nuclear material,” he told reporters. “I’m not a fan.”

Mr Windsor said the potential benefits of nuclear energy in reducing carbon emissions were not necessarily worth the risk.
“If things go wrong with nuclear they are very long lasting,” he said….
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/we-need-more-details-of-us-buildup-brown-20111117-1njss.html

November 17, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, weapons and war