Clinton visit spells no good for Australia

Vanguard December 2012 p. 11
by Jim H.

Hillary Clinton’s November visit to Australia was an affront. Put aside the diplomatic doublespeak and what was left is the master giving the servant marching orders for the new period.

As part of the Obama administration, Clinton does not represent the American people, but the major owners of the dominant American corporations and financial institutions that constitute the ruling class, which controls both the economy and political system.

The central reality of the recent US election was that it represented a tussle between different sections of the ruling class. A mixture of deception and force will now be applied to further this sectional interest.

Much of the content of the meetings with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Carr etc, has not been publicly disclosed. What has come out is a general picture that centres on strengthening economic, political and military ties.

It was not a meeting between equals, more one between master and servant. After all, US corporate interests hold the dominant position in the Australian economy. This translates into political power over Australia. No government that accepts and lives by this situation is going to do other than what it is told. Theirs is a relationship of subservience, where there is no chance of making independent decisions, let alone implement them. The politicians giving this service know on which side their bread is buttered on. Hence there is complete agreement on economic and military policies.

It goes without saying that Australia must continue to be an echo of American policy in international forums and step up its role as deputy sheriff in the Asian-Pacific region. One part of this is to posture at international forums, acting as a cheer leader for American expansionism in terms of political and trade arrangements (the Trans Pacific Partnership on trade, for example).

Another is to open up Australia for the stationing of American troops in large numbers, expanding spy and other facilities, further integrating the Australian armed forces into the US military and involving Australia in further military aggression against other countries.

The vast majority of Australians do not want this state of affairs to continue. When Gillard and Co. kowtow to a foreign master, they do not represent the Australian people.

The Australian people strive for independence and want a government that is capable and willing to make independent decisions. But to do this, such a government would have to make a decisive break from the subservient past and break the economic and political dominance over Australia.

It means standing up to the American ruling class, instead of seeking its patronage. It means having faith in the Australian people, organising and involving them to bring about fundamental change, for the creation of an independent Australia that is in the hands of the people. This is the long term goal.

In the meantime, it is right to call on the Australian government to show some backbone, to think a little differently and have its own opinion, to have a foreign policy that seeks a warm relationship with the American people and the peoples of all other nations, that stands as a force for peace and against injustice.