Australia agrees US Marine deployment plan

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Australia has agreed to host a full US Marine task force in the coming years, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced at a news conference with US President Barack Obama in Canberra.



She said about 250 US Marines would arrive next year, eventually being built up to 2,500 personnel.


The deployment is being seen as a move to counter China's growing influence

 

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The deployment is being seen as a move to counter China's growing influence.


But Mr Obama said the US was "stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia-Pacific", not excluding China.


"The main message that I've said, not only publicly but also privately to China, is that with their rise comes increased responsibility," he said.


"It is important for them to play by the rules of the road."

 

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Analysis

Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent






Long a close ally of Washington, Australia is set to take on a growing strategic importance for the US as Mr Obama seeks to pivot America's foreign policy away from the wider Middle East towards the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.





Australia approaches China with a degree of ambivalence. Beijing is Australia's biggest trading partner. But China's growing military reach is seen as at least a potential threat for the future.





In his speech to parliament Mr Obama will set out his vision of a new Pacific century. A subsequent trip to Darwin on Australia's north coast will symbolise the enhanced military relationship between the two countries.





It is an attempt to offset Chinese influence and to ensure that Beijing's "soft power" remains just that and does not spill over into military assertiveness.

 

[DeathEatsaCracker 0]

Oh, cool! A new base to pay for!

Holy fuck why do we think we need a presence everywhere in the world? I'm tired of this shit.

 

[festeringZit 2,885]

Oh, cool! A new base to pay for!

Holy fuck why do we think we need a presence everywhere in the world? I'm tired of this shit.

"Hope and Change"

 

[hehateme82 0]

2500 troops in Australia are sure to scare the shit of the chinese. barry must be awesome at the game of risk.

 

[DeathEatsaCracker 0]

"Hope and Change"

No matter how bad Obama gets, he's still infinitely better than the alternative.

 

[hehateme82 0]

infinitely might be a stretch.

 

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Located: The U.S. has military bases around the world, as depicted in this graphic

 

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But despite the fears, Andrew Shearer, director of studies at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, said the move was 'not all about China'.


He added: 'Everyone draws the China connection but it's as much to do with the rise of India as well. It's not all about defence, but to be able to conduct disaster relief, counter piracy and keep shipping lanes free.'

 

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New home: Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory with a population of 127,500

 

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DARWIN: AT A GLANCE

Capital city of Northern Territory

Population of 127,500

Least populous of all Australia's capital cities

Proximity to Asia makes it important gateway

Enjoys a tropical climate, with a wet and a dry season

Had to be rebuilt after Japanese air raids during World War II

City was also devastated by Cyclone Tracy in 1974

 

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[festeringZit 2,885]

No matter how bad Obama gets, he's still infinitely better than the alternative.

You couldn't be more wrong.

 

[DeathEatsaCracker 0]

You couldn't be more wrong.

I could, but I'm not.

 

[Dave007inVegas 0]

infinitely might be a stretch.

Might be? Surley you jest?

 

[DeathEatsaCracker 0]

I think the evangelicals will be protesting the name of the town the Marines will be based in.

 

[mplastered 0]

I've already signed up to be a translator. "Fosters". See, not too shabby. I'll be gone for 4 years. I am also training to speak Asian so I may have to stop off in Hawaii for another 4.

 

[Willie99 1,630]

I've already signed up to be a translator. "Fosters". See, not too shabby. I'll be gone for 4 years. I am also training to speak Asian so I may have to stop off in Hawaii for another 4.

Barry was confused, all Pacific Island people look the same don'tchay'know

hard to tell where he was

or maybe the teleprompter fucked up