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US denies plans to deploy US F-16s to Tindal RAAF
May 22, 2003 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
US Embassy officials in Australia denied sounding out the government or defence officials on plans to base US military forces in Australia. Australia has reportedly been informally asked to provide bases for US forces as part of a plan to combat terrorism in South-East Asia, especially Islamist extremists based in Indonesia.
Among ideas being canvassed were the deployment of US F-16 fighters to the Tindal RAAF base in the Northern Territory and a brigade of up to 5,000 US Marines at an Australian army base, The Australian newspaper said.
But a US embassy spokesman in Canberra said no such plan had ever been discussed.
"There is no plan to base US forces in Australia, nor have US officials made any request to the government of Australia on the subject" he told AAP.
He said under the ANZUS treaty between Australia and the US, military forces from both countries already cooperated extensively and staged joint exercises, as well as exchanged personnel.
"The focus has changed in response to new and emerging threats to international peace, but remains consistent with the strong relationship we have established since World War Two," he said.
"As part of routine military contingency planning, the US and Australia have shared information on the deployment of our respective forces in the region and elsewhere."
But he denied that changed focus meant US forces could be deployed in Australia and he said the idea had never been discussed even informally between the two countries.
Among ideas being canvassed were the deployment of US F-16 fighters to the Tindal RAAF base in the Northern Territory and a brigade of up to 5,000 US Marines at an Australian army base, The Australian newspaper said.
"There is no plan to base US forces in Australia, nor have US officials made any request to the government of Australia on the subject" he told AAP.
He said under the ANZUS treaty between Australia and the US, military forces from both countries already cooperated extensively and staged joint exercises, as well as exchanged personnel.
"The focus has changed in response to new and emerging threats to international peace, but remains consistent with the strong relationship we have established since World War Two," he said.
"As part of routine military contingency planning, the US and Australia have shared information on the deployment of our respective forces in the region and elsewhere."
But he denied that changed focus meant US forces could be deployed in Australia and he said the idea had never been discussed even informally between the two countries.
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