96B
12-04-2003, 01:26 AM
SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- The Australian government has decided to take part in the controversial U.S. missile shield system, a move likely to earn the displeasure of key trading partner China.
The conservative Howard government announced the move Thursday, after indicating in February this year that it would examine possible involvement in the project.
"We believe that taking part in the U.S. program will serve our strategic interest, help us defend Australia and allow us to make an important contribution to global and regional security," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
Canberra has not yet determined the form of Australia's participation but Australia's Ministry of Defence indicated on Thursday some likely areas of co-operation.
These included:
• Joint work to help detect missiles at the point of launch
• Acquisition of ship and ground-based sensors
• Science and technology research, development, testing and evaluation
"We think that with the proliferation of long-range missiles and trends towards proliferation of mass destruction warheads, it is a sensible decision for Australia to take," Defense Minister Robert Hill said according to The Associated Press.
Australia has been a steadfast ally of the Bush Administration on defense issues, including sending troops and equipment to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and backing the U.S. position in international forums such as the United Nations.
Support for the missile shield system -- also called Star Wars -- has been problematic, however, with China and close neighbor New Zealand expressing disquiet at the Australian stance.
Downer says missile defense participation serves Australia's strategic interest.
Beijing, in particular, fears the U.S. system is designed to negate the effectiveness of China somewhat modest nuclear arsenal and will be used to shield Taiwan and embolden pro-independence forces there.
China argues the system will undermine the global strategic balance which could lead to a new arms race.
Washington says the shield would protect against ballistic missiles that could soon be in the hands of "rogue states" like North Korea.
It wants allies such as Britain and Australia involved in the project, particularly for the use of satellite tracking stations in their countries.
Australia already operates a ballistic missile early warning ground station jointly with the United States at Pine Gap in the remote Australian Outback.
Meanwhile, in Japan reports said Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is planning to introduce a missile defense system to protect against the threat posed by North Korea.
The Mainichi Shimbun daily newspaper said the government would hold a national security meeting soon for a formal decision on the defense system.
Japan and the United States have been jointly researching a missile defense system since North Korea shocked Tokyo by test firing a missile that flew of Japan's main island in 1998.
Such a defense system is a controversial issue in Japan due to its high cost and possible violation of Japan's pacifist constitution.
Though Japan is permitted to use force in self-defense, shooting down a missile aimed at another country is against the constitution, the Mainichi reported.
*Darth Voice* The Aussies have joined the dark side.
The conservative Howard government announced the move Thursday, after indicating in February this year that it would examine possible involvement in the project.
"We believe that taking part in the U.S. program will serve our strategic interest, help us defend Australia and allow us to make an important contribution to global and regional security," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
Canberra has not yet determined the form of Australia's participation but Australia's Ministry of Defence indicated on Thursday some likely areas of co-operation.
These included:
• Joint work to help detect missiles at the point of launch
• Acquisition of ship and ground-based sensors
• Science and technology research, development, testing and evaluation
"We think that with the proliferation of long-range missiles and trends towards proliferation of mass destruction warheads, it is a sensible decision for Australia to take," Defense Minister Robert Hill said according to The Associated Press.
Australia has been a steadfast ally of the Bush Administration on defense issues, including sending troops and equipment to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and backing the U.S. position in international forums such as the United Nations.
Support for the missile shield system -- also called Star Wars -- has been problematic, however, with China and close neighbor New Zealand expressing disquiet at the Australian stance.
Downer says missile defense participation serves Australia's strategic interest.
Beijing, in particular, fears the U.S. system is designed to negate the effectiveness of China somewhat modest nuclear arsenal and will be used to shield Taiwan and embolden pro-independence forces there.
China argues the system will undermine the global strategic balance which could lead to a new arms race.
Washington says the shield would protect against ballistic missiles that could soon be in the hands of "rogue states" like North Korea.
It wants allies such as Britain and Australia involved in the project, particularly for the use of satellite tracking stations in their countries.
Australia already operates a ballistic missile early warning ground station jointly with the United States at Pine Gap in the remote Australian Outback.
Meanwhile, in Japan reports said Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is planning to introduce a missile defense system to protect against the threat posed by North Korea.
The Mainichi Shimbun daily newspaper said the government would hold a national security meeting soon for a formal decision on the defense system.
Japan and the United States have been jointly researching a missile defense system since North Korea shocked Tokyo by test firing a missile that flew of Japan's main island in 1998.
Such a defense system is a controversial issue in Japan due to its high cost and possible violation of Japan's pacifist constitution.
Though Japan is permitted to use force in self-defense, shooting down a missile aimed at another country is against the constitution, the Mainichi reported.
*Darth Voice* The Aussies have joined the dark side.