26 August 2012

News Story: No Permanent U.S. Bases in Australia, Aussie FM Says


SYDNEY — The United States will not seek permanent military bases in Australia and nor would hosting one be in Canberra’s interests, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Aug. 25.

Australia has welcomed long-term ally Washington’s plans for an enhanced naval presence in the Pacific and last year agreed to allow up to 2,500 U.S. Marines to be deployed to a barracks near the northern city of Darwin.

But Carr rejected the idea of a permanent U.S. military base in Australia.

“In fact, the Americans will not seek it because of the cost involved at a time when they are going to have to produce more cuts in their defense spending,” he told Sky News. “And second, because it doesn’t fit with the way they project power. But above all ... it’s not in Australia’s interest.”

Read the full story at DefenseNews