U.S. – Australia Relations

Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations Joint Communiqué

Washington, D.C. — 1 October 1992

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator Gareth Evans and Minister for Defense Senator Robert Ray, and the United States Acting Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger and Under Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz met on October 1,1992 in Washington, D.C. to discuss global, regional, and bilateral issues. The rapid pace and dramatic scope of political and economic developments on the international scene in this period of world history made the consultations especially valuable on this occasion.

These talks continued the tradition of annual high-level consultations between two close allies. Discussions focused both upon the shared interests of the alliance relationship and cooperative efforts on key international arms control and conflict resolution issues. The United States and Australia exchanged views on other new challenges emerging in the post-Cold War environment, including issues relating to the world economy and international trade, particularly the GATT [General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade] Uruguay Round. Both sides pledged to continue close consultations on these key issues.

Defense and Security

Australia emphasized its belief that the continued involvement of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region has been a powerful stabilizing force, significantly contributing to the remarkable growth and stability achieved over recent decades. Australia thus welcomed the United States' reaffirmation of its intention to maintain its strategic engagement in the region through the maintenance of existing alliances, forward deployed forces, and new access arrangements with host governments.

The United States reiterated its support for bilateral security arrangements with Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand as keystones of regional security. In that regard, the United States and Australian Governments reaffirmed the importance of their security cooperation under the ANZUS [Australia, New Zealand, United States] Treaty and the need to continue close consultations on issues of mutual security concern. Both governments noted that they would welcome the return of New Zealand to ANZUS on the basis of full acceptance by New Zealand of its obligations and responsibilities under the alliance.

Recalling the successful completion of the Kangaroo 92 joint military exercise, the United States and Australia pledged to continue efforts to foster military interoperability between their armed forces. This would be particularly important as both countries structured their forces to meet the challenges of the 1990s, including through the development and use of advanced technology. Australia outlined its plans for upgrading the facilities at the Delamere Air Weapons Range and the underwater tracking range off Perth and repeated its own invitation to the United States to make use of these facilities in its own training and exercise programs. Australia and the United States reaffirmed the importance they attach to the joint defense facilities and to other cooperative arrangements. The United States and Australian governments welcomed the transfer that took place that day, of Harold E. Holt Naval Communications Station at North West Cape, Australia -- a joint facility -- from U.S. to Australian command.

To complement the contribution that these bilateral arrangements make to security in Asia and the Pacific, both sides agree to encourage regional discussion on security issues. In particular, they welcome the inclusion of regional security discussions on the agenda of the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] PMC [post-ministerial conference] as an example of the sort of initiative that can help build trust, confidence, and cooperation.

The United States and Australia, while noting substantial progress on many aspects of the Cambodian peace process, especially repatriation and electoral preparations, expressed concern over the continued refusal of the Khmer Rouge to join the cantonment and demobilization phase of the Cambodia peace agreement and reiterated the importance both place on the elections being held as scheduled in April/May 1993. Both governments expressed support for UNSC [United Nations Security Council] Resolution 766 and for UNSC consideration of further measures should Khmer Rouge intransigence continue.

The United States outlined recent developments in U.S.-Vietnam relations, including on POW-MIA [prisoners of war/missing-in-action] issues. Australia noted these recent developments and expressed its hope that there would eventually be a normalization of relations between the two countries.

The two sides welcomed the recent progress in the dialogue between South and North Korea, and especially the agreements on reconciliation and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, they remain concerned about the North Korean nuclear program and North Korea's continued export of Scud missiles and related technology. They called on the DPRK [Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea] to finalize with South Korea an arrangement for a credible and effective bilateral nuclear inspection regime, which would be an essential complement to IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspections and would enhance international confidence that the DPRK was fulfilling its responsibilities under both the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] and the bilateral accord.

Australia and the United States noted with concern the potential threat of ballistic missile proliferation and expressed their willingness to explore with each other and other countries the development of a global protection system -- an international regime for protection against limited ballistic missile attack. Both governments look forward to cooperation on these matters where our common interests are engaged and agree to keep each other closely informed of developments.

Other Security Issues

Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to work in the international community to ensure Iraqi compliance with UNSC resolutions, and recognized the substantial contribution which each was making to the Multinational Interception Force (MIF) monitoring sanctions compliance. They agreed that renewed efforts were needed to encourage others to join the MIF.

Both sides condemned Iraq's harassment of UN personnel, including UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspection teams acting under UNSC Resolution 687. The two governments pledged continued support for UNSCOM, including a willingness to provide experts for the inspection teams. The two governments also agreed to support and encourage UN humanitarian efforts under UNSC Resolution 688, which respond to the suffering of the people of Iraq. They reaffirmed their support for the aerial monitoring and consequent no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq, which respond to Iraq's continued oppression of the populations living in those areas.

Australia welcomed the leadership of the United States in the Middle East Peace process. The United States expressed appreciation for Australia's positive contribution to the arms control and regional security (ACRS) multilateral working group.

Both governments welcomed the conclusion of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) negotiations and agreed, as original co-sponsors of the draft resolution commending the CWC now before the general assembly, to continue efforts to urge all countries to support the CWC and to become original signatories. They also agreed to work actively to ensure that the CWC comes into effect at the earliest possible date. The United States commended the leadership role of Australia in fostering the successful conclusion to the negotiations.

Both sides emphasized their shared commitment to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including through the strengthening of IAEA safeguards. The two governments stressed the importance of indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1995.

Reviewing developments in Europe, the two sides expressed support for the efforts of the newly independent states to establish democratic, market-oriented societies. Australia and the United States discussed the ongoing conflict in the former Yugoslavia and agreed to continue to support UN efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic and other means.

Economic and Trade Issues

The United States and Australia emphasized the importance of fostering free and undistorted trade globally and in the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides agreed that a successful conclusion to the Uruguay Round is the most important priority in the international economy. To this end, the two sides agreed that an urgent breakthrough on agriculture is critical and they called on the EC [European Community] and other parties to show the necessary flexibility to see this achieved. Both governments renewed calls on all GATT parties to show the political commitment to conclude the Round as a matter of urgency.

They underlined their strong commitment to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and welcomed its role as a primary vehicle for achieving increased trade liberalization in the region. The United States and Australia exchanged views on NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] and the President's goal to develop a network of free trade agreements with the Pacific, Latin America, and some Eastern European countries as a means of furthering trade liberalization. Australia and the United States emphasized the benefits of maintaining an open regional trading system on an APEC-wide basis.

Australia pressed strongly its concerns at the continuing resort to export subsidies, including the Export Enhancement Program, in international agricultural trade. The United States reiterated that it will continue to use the Export Enhancement Program to counter high EC export subsidies, but assured Australia that it will also continue, where feasible, to minimize the effects on Australia and other non-subsidizers.

Both governments agreed that discussions on a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) should be accelerated with the view to concluding an agreement as soon as possible.

Australia confirmed its invitation to the United States to the next round of annual talks in Australia in 1993.

Original document from dosfan.lib.uic.edu.

Last update: Friday, 14 January 2011 GMT+1100