No support for US militarism!
The Australian government's support for "baby Star wars" — the US government's proposed National Missile Defence (NMD) system — must be opposed.
Much of the criticism of NMD has focused on the stupidity of the plan, since it is doubtful that a missile defence system could prevent even a limited, unsophisticated missile attack; two out of three tests have failed so far. Yet the US clearly intends to spend as much money as it takes to develop a workable system, estimated to cost more than A$100 billion.
The US points the finger at "rogue" states — Iran, Iraq, North Korea and unnamed others — that it claims might expand and modify their missile arsenals in order to threaten the US.
And while the US insists that NMD will provide no protection against Russia or China, military hawks in those countries have leapt on the opportunity to argue for expanded military production. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to "tear up" all arms control agreements between the US and Russia if NMD is developed.
China will probably expand its nuclear arsenal if NMD is deployed. Longer-term speculation about a US "theatre missile defence" system to protect US forces in Asia is of particular concern to Beijing. The arms build-up could spread to India, Pakistan and beyond.
US defence secretary William Cohen never tires of the mantra that NMD will bring "peace and stability". That is a lie. NMD is designed to shore up the US's ability to attack whoever it likes, whenever it likes, with minimal risk of counterattack, to protect the interests of US imperialism at home and abroad.
A military build-up in the Asia-Pacific region is a likely consequence of NMD, even more so if theatre missile defence is developed. Yet PM John Howard's government supports the NMD research program in the US and is almost certain to allow the Pine Gap spy base to be used if the US decides to go ahead with the program. Cohen says he "expects" Australian support; no doubt Howard will provide it.
Evidently, the thinking in Canberra is that it is crucial for the "strategic balance" in Asia that all countries understand that the US is willing to use force if necessary, and that Australia is firmly under the US military (including nuclear) umbrella. Replace "strategic balance" with "US and Australian capitalist interests" and the strategy is revealed.
On July 17, Australian defence minister John Moore and Cohen signed an agreement which will ease export controls thereby giving Australia greater access to US military technology. Moore cited possible US assistance to improve the combat system of the Collins-class submarines.
The agreement is, in part, designed to ensure Australian support for NMD. It goes further, however. As Moore said, the agreement "will facilitate the inter-operability of our forces, which remains a hallmark of our alliance". Cohen urged the Australian government to increase its military spending and warned that Australia was losing the technological ability to operate with US forces. The US looks to Australia as "the key anchor of our policy and our goals" in the Asia Pacific region, he said.
Forget Howard's "national debate" on military spending; the US says increased military spending is a "requirement" and the Coalition government agrees.
The Labor opposition's foreign affairs spokesperson, Laurie Brereton, said the ALP is "concerned" about NMD and would "review" Australia's participation if elected to federal office. "Our approach would be entirely consistent with the approach that we took under the Hawke administration in the 1980s", Brereton said.
But Labor's approach when in government (1983-96) was also to support for US imperialism and militarism. In 1985, PM Bob Hawke unilaterally agreed to provide support to a US missile test in the Tasman Sea — only to back down because of public outrage. In 1989, Labor defence minister Kim "Bomber" Beazley, now opposition leader, set troops on to peace activists at the Nurrungar military base in South Australia.
In 1995, Labor PM Paul Keating agreed to collaborate with the NMD program. Foreign minister Gareth Evans said in 1993 that the US bases are important for arms control "verification", yet it is an open secret that the CIA's spy base at Pine Gap enhances US strategic nuclear war-fighting capabilities, including its first-strike capability.
An Australian government that was genuinely interested in peace and stability would tear up the ANZUS treaty, prevent visits of US warships to Australian ports, close the US military and spy bases, and oppose the NMD program.