12-05-2003, 08:13 AM
<b>China responds to Australia's joining US missile defence system</b>
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANews...ies_1004124.htm
Australia says China has reacted 'moderately' to Canberra's decision to join United States research on defence against ballistic missiles.
Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, says Canberra informed Beijing before Thursday's announcement that Australia will help the US programme to shoot down long-range missiles.
He's dismissed claims the defence programme will cause China to start a regional arms race is absurd.
"They've been very moderate in their response," says Mr Downer.
"I don't think you could say that they've been supportive of this particular proposal.
"But I think they increasingly understand this isn't directed at China, or isn't designed to intervene in the China-Taiwan issue, which is of course their great area of sensitivity.
"This is about dealing with a very limited number of missiles from rogue states," he says.
The Australian Greens Party has called for a Senate inquiry into what it calls "the son of Star Wars" missile defence program.
Senator Bob Brown says the program is a terrible initiative that threats to create a new nuclear arms race involving China, Russia, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
<b>Aussies join Star Wars program</b>
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...255E662,00.html
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANews...ies_1004124.htm
Australia says China has reacted 'moderately' to Canberra's decision to join United States research on defence against ballistic missiles.
Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, says Canberra informed Beijing before Thursday's announcement that Australia will help the US programme to shoot down long-range missiles.
He's dismissed claims the defence programme will cause China to start a regional arms race is absurd.
"They've been very moderate in their response," says Mr Downer.
"I don't think you could say that they've been supportive of this particular proposal.
"But I think they increasingly understand this isn't directed at China, or isn't designed to intervene in the China-Taiwan issue, which is of course their great area of sensitivity.
"This is about dealing with a very limited number of missiles from rogue states," he says.
The Australian Greens Party has called for a Senate inquiry into what it calls "the son of Star Wars" missile defence program.
Senator Bob Brown says the program is a terrible initiative that threats to create a new nuclear arms race involving China, Russia, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
<b>Aussies join Star Wars program</b>
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...255E662,00.html