by Alice M.
(Above: the Australian naval base HMAS Stirling in Western Australia incorporated in US war plans).
The Australian government’s
compliance to US enmeshing Australia in its imperialist war preparations in the
Asia-Pacific has angered many people.
More
voices are raised condemning the Australian government’s subservience to the
US, and calling for an independent foreign policy and national sovereignty.
On
the eve of AUSMIN talks in West Australia, the recently formed national
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), representing peace organisations,
churches, unions and community groups released a statement expressing concerns
that “the AUSMIN talks between Defence Minister Stephen Smith and the US
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will consolidate agreements regarding the use
of Australian territory for US foreign policy behind the backs of Australians”.
In
Western Australia before and during the AUSMIN talks several community and
peace groups staged a series of protests and distributed leaflets condemning
the escalation of US military activities in Australia and the Australian
government’s acquiescence to US.
A
leaflet distributed by IPAN (West Australia) stated, “While AUSMIN delegates
Hillary Clinton and Julia Gillard are engaged in preparing for war, IPAN is
promoting peace. Don’t let US forces get
the nod! We want to live in Australia
with an independent foreign policy, under which our country is free to choose
what is truly in our best interests.”
Jo
Valentine, member of IPAN, a long time fighter for peace and former WA Senator,
echoed concerns of many Australians in a letter to West Australian newspapers.
She wrote:
“I am
utterly dismayed that our Government is prepared to embroil Australia further
in the United States’ war planning, which is what the AUSMIN talks are all
about.
“What has
happened to Australian sovereignty? It’s gone missing in action, while U.S.
forces get the nod.
“I feel
sickened by this toadying to the American military. It’s not in our best
interest, and never has been, to fight in wars decided by other nations.
We have a long sad history of doing that from Sudan, Boer war, World Wars 1 and
2, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq wars 1 & 2, Afghanistan... what will the Americans
want next?
“How many
more dead or severely damaged (physically, psychologically, emotionally) servicemen/women
is the government prepared to suffer in order to please the Americans? And
in doing so, we risk our own relatively good relations with countries in our
region – our trading partners.
“It’s not
in my name that our government makes these plans and promises in support of
future wars.
“It’s not
in my name that our government offers Australian facilities to the deadliest
war machine on the planet.
“It’s not
in my name that our government buys military hardware which suits the American
military command, but which does nothing for the defence of our nation.
“It’s not
in my name that our government encourages young Australians to be trained for
killing, when most of them would prefer to be trained for building communities,
instead of destroying them.
“Let’s
put our efforts towards goodwill and justice and working together with nations
in our region to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
A broad
and united people’s movement for Australian independence from the US is growing.
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