Rowan Callick
BARACK Obama and Julia Gillard will tomorrow seek to counter criticisms from the two East Asian giants -- China and Indonesia -- about the intensification of US military engagement with Australia.
Both leaders will be participating in the East Asia Summit in Bali, where they will have to respond to Indonesia's irritation -- expressed by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa -- at the enhanced military co-operation.
Read the full story at The Australian
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PM Julia Gillard seeks to soothe China, Indonesia over US defence ties
James Massola
JULIA Gillard will attempt to placate China's Premier Wen Jiaboa and Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Bali this weekend over the strengthening of Australian-US defence ties.
The Prime Minister will use the opportunity provided by tomorrow's East Asia Summit to speak with Premier Wen amid rising anger in Beijing over the new looming US military build-up in Australia.
Ms Gillard also has a pre-arranged bilateral meeting with President Yudhoyono on Sunday morning, after the summit's official conclusion, where Jakarta's concerns over the looming military build-up will be canvassed.
Read the full story at The Australian