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SYDNEY, March 18: The United States, Japan and Australia concluded their security talks here on Saturday with an attempt to dampen fears that their alliance was designed to produce a containment strategy on China, saying it was natural for three countries with so much in common to meet to discuss security.
After a security meeting of their foreign ministers, the US, Japan and Australia sought to reassure China there was no ‘conspiracy’ against it.
“This is a very natural relationship... and shouldn’t be interpreted as an act of conspiracy against China, of course it’s not,” Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
“It’s not for China to feel that we are ganging up on China or that Australia is suddenly changing its policy on China.”
Mr Downer said the three countries were committed to helping Beijing participate fully in the region.
“I think we all pretty much agree, even if we use different language, we want to have a constructive relationship with China,” Mr Downer said.
He praised China’s role in attempting to convince North Korea to return to international talks on its nuclear programme, an outcome called for in the joint communique.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso were hosted by Mr Downer for talks in Sydney that also focused on the situation in Iraq and Iran’s nuclear crisis.
“Supporting the emergence and consolidation of democracies and strengthening cooperative frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region was a particular focus of our attention,” they said in a joint statement.
“We welcomed China’s constructive engagement in the region and concurred on the value of enhanced cooperation with other parties such as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Republic of Korea.”
The parties welcomed as a positive step a decision by India to place its civilian nuclear facilities under international safeguards and recognised the importance of ‘reinforcing our global partnership with India’.
CONCERN OVER IRAN: In the statement, the trio also expressed serious concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme and urged Tehran to return to talks with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Authority, and comply with its demands.
“We have grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and discussed the need for concerted action at the UN Security Council to convince Iran to promptly suspend all enrichment-related activities,” they said.
Mr Downer urged Iran to abandon its decision to proceed with its ‘so-called research programme into uranium enrichment’.
“We are concerned that they aren’t showing a great deal of intention to do that,” he said.
Iraq was also discussed but Mr Downer refused to give details on a possible timetable for the withdrawal of Australian or Japanese troops.
“There was obviously discussions about many aspects of the Iraq issue and I am not getting into those kinds of issues publicly,” he told reporters.
The talks coincided with a 500-strong Sydney protest to mark the third anniversary of the war in Iraq.
Organiser Anna Samson called for the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops.
“The US needs to admit that the military approach is not the answer to peace in Iraq,” she said.
Taro Aso held bilateral talks with Downer later Saturday during which the ministers agreed to strengthen their joint efforts to stamp out terrorism and build their strategic relationship.
—AFP
