SINGAPORE, May 31: US forces will increasingly use temporary military bases in Asian countries and around the globe, Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said here on Saturday as he sought out allies for his nation’s evolving defence strategy.

Mr Wolfowitz outlined to regional defence ministers, armed forces chiefs and academics at the Asian Security Conference some of the factors Washington was considering as it reviewed its global military “footprint.”

“To adapt to a world where potential threats have become more unpredictable, we are placing a greater premium on mobility and of the ability to move from existing bases at great speed and using temporary base solutions as needed,” Wolfowitz said.

The much-publicized US military review following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States as well as the just-ended military campaign in Iraq has raised speculation of a dramatic realignment of US forces in the Asia-Pacific.

The vast majority of American soldiers in the region are currently stationed in South Korea and Japan, but media reports have suggested the United States is considering forging a stronger presence in the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Mr Wolfowitz stressed to the delegates that Washington had yet to settle on a final plan.

“Many studies have been done, many ideas have been considered, but no decision has been made,” he said.

“Before making decisions, we need to consult both with our own Congress and with our allies and friends in the region, and that process is underway.”

Wolfowitz had already denied on Friday a Los Angeles Times report that the United States was considering moving 15,000 of its 20,000 Marines now in Okinawa, Japan, to bases in Australia.

“There are things in that story, including speculation that we might take our forces out of Okinawa and put them in Australia, that simply are not accurate,” Wolfowitz said.

Singapore Defence Minister Tony Tan told reporters at the conference on Saturday that US forces already had use of Singapore’s military facilties, and that American troops were welcome here.

“(But) with regard to a military base, I think the fact of life is that Singapore is a very small place so I’m not sure physically if we can accommodate the stationing of US military troops here,” Tan said, adding he had not discussed the issue with Wolfowitz.

Malaysian Defence Minister Najib Razak reportedly said his nation would not allow the United States to establish military bases in the predominantly Muslim country, but is prepared to engage in other forms of defence cooperation with Washington.

“This is a matter of pride and sovereignty. There is no need for such suggestions to be considered as we have an able and capable defence force,” the New Straits Times newspaper quoted Najib as saying in reference to US military bases.

“We will not agree to this. But it does not mean we (US and Malaysia) cannot further develop bilateral defence relations outside this ambit.”

Wolfowitz was able to speak with most Southeast Asian defence ministers at the conference, as well as Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill and Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes.

He was to travel to Seoul on Sunday for talks with South Korean military officials, and emphasised on Saturday that Washington was intent on “enhancing” their bilateral alliance. —AFP