2007-06-06 09:35:52 -
TOKYO (AP) - Northeast Asia needs a permanent security forum to deal with potential flash points such as the Korean peninsula and the Taiwan Strait, Australia's foreign minister said Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also defended the U.S. war effort in Iraq, saying the world could not allow the Mideast country to fall to terrorists.
Downer
was in Tokyo for the first joint meeting of defense and foreign ministers of the two countries later Wednesday, part of Australia's effort to take greater responsibility for Asian security. A day earlier, Australia said it was studying cooperation with Japan and the United States in a regional missile defense shield.
«Australia is interested in the question of the possible evolution of a Northeast Asian security mechanism» that might emerge out of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program, Downer told reporters.
«The region contains the potential strategic flash points of the Korean peninsula and the Taiwan Strait,» he said, referring to the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program and tensions between Taiwan and mainland China.
Australia envisions a security forum in which more countries from the region could meet to discuss a wide range of security issues, he said. «For Australia, no region is more important to our future than North Asia,» he added.
On Tuesday, Australian Defense Minister Brendon Nelson said Australia is interested in joining a missile defense system with Tokyo and Washington.
Options include putting interceptor missiles aboard Aegis radar-equipped destroyers, Nelson said, though he said it was too early to talk about timing or costs.
Australia is trying to ramp up its military capabilities and is expanding its military personnel to 30,500 troops from 27,500 to more actively participate in Asian security, Nelson said. The upgrade is seen as hinging on Australian coordination with its allies in Tokyo and Washington.
Japan and the United States have been stepping up efforts to build a joint missile defense system following North Korea's nuclear test in October. North Korea is believed to be developing missiles capable of striking as far away as the United States, but its ability to mount an atomic warhead on the missiles is still doubted.
Australia and Japan signed a security agreement in March that will enable Japanese forces to train alongside Australians for disaster relief and peacekeeping missions, and boost cooperation between the two countries in counterterrorism measures and intelligence sharing.
On Wednesday, Downer downplayed Japanese concerns over China's military expansion, saying recent double-digit growth in Chinese defense spending is an «inevitable function» of the country's booming economy.
«With the possible exception of Taiwan, China is not a country that is looking at expanding or acquiring territory,» Downer said. «I think expressions of concern are much exaggerated.»
But he criticized China's refusal to set targets in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. «What we need is an arrangement which is a global arrangement,» Downer said. «Everybody needs to make a contribution.»
Downer also called for support of the Iraqi war effort, saying it would be a «complete catastrophe» if the country fall to terrorists.
«For all the criticism for President (George W.) Bush ... you don't have easy choices in Iraq,» Downer said. «A great deal of work needs to be put into supporting political reconciliation.»
