APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, June 4, 2007

Recommended Citation

"APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, June 4, 2007", APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, June 04, 2007, https://nautilus.org/apsnet/apsnet-for-20070604/

APSNet for 20070604

Austral Peace and Security Network (APSNet)

Twice weekly report from the Nautilus Institute at RMIT, Australia.

Thursday 4 June 2007

  1. China’s Missile Warning
  2. A Gritty Request, if we Can Stomach it
  3. Police Accused of Timor Shootings
  4. Tensions Surface in Booming PNG
  5. America’s Position in Asia
  6. Widening Horizons: Australia’s New Relationship with India
  7. Silk Asks if Sacked Officer Will Chase Jenkins Claim
  8. Defence Given Green Light to Use Cluster Bombs

  1. China’s Missile Warning, Patrick Walters, Australian, 2007-06-04

    China has warned the US, Japan and Australia against the development of a regional ballistic missile defence system arguing that it could destabilise security in the Asia-Pacific. Australia is examining how it could contribute to an eventual US-led networked BMD system. Australia is also considering a trilateral ballistic missile defence research program with the US and Japan.

  2. A Gritty Request, if We Can Stomach it, Ben Saul, SMH, 2007-06-01

    As the coronial inquest into the killing of five journalists at Balibo, East Timor, in 1975, draws to a close: what happens next? Despite four Australian inquiries and a UN investigation, no one has been brought to justice. Australia and Indonesia recently signed the Lombok security treaty, under which they agreed to co-operate on law enforcement. War crimes at Balibo may provide an opportunity to test the willingness of both countries to cement their relationship.

  3. Police Accused of Timor Shootings, AFP, News, 2007-06-04

    East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta accused police of shooting dead two activists during campaign rallies for a new party headed by former East Timor president Xanana Gusmao. A group of five armed men opened fire on Alfonso Guterres at the rally by the National Congress of Reconstruction of Timor (CNRT) party in the eastern town of Viqueque, he said.

  4. Tensions Surface in Booming PNG, Greg Earl, AFR*, 2007-06-02

    Observers of the coming PNG elections warn of serious problems simmering below the surface despite an unusually positive political and economic climate. There is concern that the election could be the trigger for a backlash against the growing Chinese community. Australia will face significant dilemmas if its biggest Pacific neighbour erupts into the sort of anti-immigrant tensions that have undermined Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
    * Subscription required.

  5. America’s Position in Asia, Michael Green, Distinguished Speaker Series, Lowy, 2007-05-29 [Audio]

    Dr Michael Green’s presentation looked at what the Bush administration’s Asia policy is and what the approaching debates are in Washington, and beyond, over this policy, in the run-up to the US elections. He also spoke on the role of the US-Australia alliance in the present policy and what changes to this policy may mean for the alliance.

  6. Widening Horizons: Australia’s New Relationship with India, Sandy Gordon, ASPI, 2007-05-31

    Given India’s rise as a significant Indian Ocean and Asian power, Australia has pressing reasons for developing a more secure platform for a lasting relationship. The relationship has a promising future, and it is likely that the two countries will move towards some form of closer partnership in the coming decade.

  7. Silk Asks if Sacked Officer Will Chase Jenkins Claim, Richard Baker, Age, 2007-06-04

    A Queen’s counsel acting for the Commonwealth in the case of a sacked bureaucrat has queried whether the man’s legal team will pursue claims Foreign Affairs officials agreed to the destruction of documents about an intelligence officer’s suicide. An internal inquiry cleared government investigators of any wrong doing, but Mr Jenkins’ family have maintained he was hounded to his death.

  8. Defence Given Green Light to Use Cluster Bombs, Sarah Smiles, Age, 2007-06-01

    Australian soldiers could for the first time be armed with cluster bombs – which have been criticised for killing and maiming civilians – after a parliamentary committee gave the green light for their purchase. The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has overturned a private member’s bill to ban the bombs proposed by Democrats leader Lyn Allison.


Similar free newsletters