Text Fwd: Japan, Australia Sign "Historic" Military Deal

* Stop NATO

Defense News
Agence France-Presse
May 19, 2010
Japan, Australia Sign 'Historic' Military Deal

-It was the third such meeting of the foreign and defense ministers since the nations signed a security pact in March 2007, and the first under the government of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
The pact was the first for officially pacifist Japan outside its military alliance with the United States.


TOKYO: Japan and Australia on May 19 signed a "historic" military deal in Tokyo, stepping up defense and diplomatic cooperation despite a dispute over Japanese whaling.

Japan Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa held talks with Australian counterparts Stephen Smith and John Faulkner in the so-called "two-plus-two" meeting.

The two sides signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), under which their armed forces will provide each other with food, fuel and logistical support during peacekeeping and disaster-relief missions.

"This is a historic moment for Japan and Australia," Faulkner said at a joint press conference. "Signing the ACSA is symbolic of a new stage in our bilateral defense relationship."

"This is a very tangible indication of the growing depth and strength in the defense relationship between our two countries," he said, adding one specific area of cooperation will be in peacekeeping operations in East Timor.

The agreement will enable Japanese troops and Australian forces to cooperate "in the field of United Nations peacekeeping operations, humanitarian international relief operations and other operations," the document said.

Specifically, the Pacific allies will jointly conduct military exercises and training...the paper said.

It was the third such meeting of the foreign and defense ministers since the nations signed a security pact in March 2007, and the first under the government of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

The pact was the first for officially pacifist Japan outside its military alliance with the United States.

The Australian and Japanese ministers also expressed concern about North Korea's nuclear programs and Iran's need to comply with U.N. resolutions.

In December 2008, Japan and Australia agreed to share confidential information, pledged to expand joint military exercises and to set up regular consultations on disaster prevention, fighting terrorism and peacekeeping.
....
===========================
Stop NATO
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato