Jon Lamb, Darwin
While the federal Coalition government remains tight-lipped about the likelyhood of a new United States military base in Australia, opposition to such a facility continues to grow. Darwin has been earmarked as a suitable site for a base, raising the concerns of many local residents and anti-war activists.
During a tour of South East Asia in late January, US General Richard Meyers, Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reaffirmed that the US is planning to establish a military training facility in northern Australia as part of its network of bases to "pre-position equipment and material".
In response, the Northern Territory News has featured articles and editorials highlighting the economic and strategic "benefits" that a new US base would bring, supplementing the role Darwin already plays by hosting US warship visits.
Little is actually known about what is being proposed, other than that it will be a training facility potentially involving thousands of US troops, and will store large amounts of equipment such as tanks, artillery and ammunition.
The US has also indicated that its pre-positioning of equipment in Australia will include seeking to deploy F-16 fighters for extended periods at the RAAF Tindal base.
"While only hints have been revealed so far, it's obvious that there has been a lot of discussion going on between the Australian and US governments about the placing of US facilities or training bases here in Darwin", Ray Hayes, a member of the local No War collective told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly .
"They're trying to soften up the population with all the little hints" added Hayes.
Along with many others, Hayes is concerned about the presence of a touted 5000 US troops to be stationed at the new base: "Already, when US troops have been here from visiting warships there have been problems. Recently there were three charged with sexual assault on two women... they are now on bail. So we can expect more of those kind of incidents to happen."
Hayes believes the base will create community divisions in Darwin. "There are people in the community who are going to be quite happy to have them here because they are going to be spending money. But there are lots of people who are deeply disturbed about America's push everywhere in the world and they don't want them here".
No War member Jude Conway is also concerned about what might be stored at a new base. "If the base was a storage dump for armaments, what kind? Would the Pentagon agree to any restrictions on the type of armaments stored? If depleted uranium was used in training what would happen to the cases afterwards?"
Conway also raised the implications of increased military exercises. "Darwin already has air force training with US and other countries' air forces for three months a year resulting in considerable noise harassment of local residents".
Noting the existing US bases and military presence in Australia, Conway is concerned about the lack of accountability. "Federal, state and territory governments don't know the full extent of their activities — the US bases are a law unto themselves".
The attitude of the ALP Territory government to the establishment of another US base in the Northern Territory has been one of mild concern. Former Country Liberal Party premier, Denis Burke, believes that " many Territorians would view any increased US presence in Australia's north positively".
"The NT government is very pragmatic... they are going to be listening to their business constituency more than those that are opposed to placing a base here", Hayes commented.
"I think they will quietly go along with it unless they are pushed... unless there is a really strong movement against the bases — and there is already a strong sentiment against another base being here. The government needs to be pushed on it so they know it's not just the business community that they have to listen to", added Hayes.
The existing level of opposition to a new US base provides the foundation for a strong community campaign. According to a February ABC Online poll, 62% of respondents were opposed to more US military training in the Top End.
"March 20 is an ideal opportunity to raise the issue in the community", Hayes told GLW, arguing to "continue to build the anti-war movement and link it into a 'no bases' campaign, which has possibilities right throughout the Territory".
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, March 17, 2004.
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