U.S. – Australia Relations: AUSMIN
Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations Joint Communiqué
Washington, D.C. — 8 October 1990
The United States Secretary of State Mr. James A. Baker III and Secretary of Defense Mr. Richard B. Cheney, and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator Gareth Evans and the Minister for Defense Senator Robert Ray met on October 8, 1990, in Washington, D.C., to discuss significant global, regional and bilateral issues.
Both sides welcomed the continuation of close and regular ministerial-level consultations within the framework of their longstanding alliance. The discussions highlighted their extensive mutual interests and shared strategic perceptions and obligations as allies under the ANZUS [Australia-New Zealand-United States] Treaty.
Defense and Security
Recognizing that historic and far-reaching changes have taken place in the global strategic situation over the past year, the U.S. and Australian Governments reaffirmed the ongoing importance of their security cooperation under the ANZUS Treaty. They expressed regret that New Zealand's policies continue to prevent resumption of a full trilateral relationship.
Recalling the successful completion of the Kangaroo 89 joint military exercise, the United States welcomed Australia's continuing progress toward fulfilling its security goals as set forth in the Australian Government's White Paper on Defence. The United States reaffirmed its understanding that the Australian Government's program of defense self-reliance and modernization, operating within an alliance framework and focusing on strategic responsibilities and regional cooperation, contributes both to the defense of Australia and to Australia's fulfillment of its alliance responsibility.
Both sides welcomed the beginning of negotiations on the Harold E. Holt Naval Communications Station at North West Cape, Australia.
The United States and Australian Governments strongly condemned Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, and agreed that Iraq must unconditionally withdraw from Kuwait and comply with other provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions, including those relating to the immediate and unconditional departure of foreign nationals from Iraq and Kuwait.
Both sides welcomed the prompt and effective action taken by the UN Security Council in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The international cooperation achieved in enforcing UN economic sanctions against Iraq and in assisting those countries adversely affected by the implementation of sanctions has been unprecedented. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the high degree of cooperation between their respective forces participating in the multinational naval force in the Gulf. The United States and Australian Governments expressed their strong preference that the crisis should be resolved peacefully if possible, within the framework of the United Nations Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
The two sides welcomed the agreement of the Cambodian parties to accept the framework for a comprehensive settlement completed by the five Permanent Members of the Security Council, which drew significantly on Australian concepts for an enhanced United Nations role. They also welcomed the formation at Jakarta of a Supreme National Council based on this framework to embody Cambodian sovereignty and to represent Cambodia externally including at the United Nations. The two sides called on the Supreme National Council to agree urgently on the appointment of a chairman, as called for in the Security Council resolution of September 20, and to work out the practicalities for Cambodian representation at the United Nations. They supported the call by the UN Security Council for the co-chairmen of the Paris International Conference on Cambodia to intensify their consultations on the elaboration of a comprehensive political settlement with a view to reconvening the Conference as soon as possible to adopt a comprehensive settlement document in accord with the Permanent Five framework agreement.
Australia expressed its strong support for the decision of the United States to open a dialogue with Vietnam on Cambodia, and expressed confidence that it would contribute to the comprehensive settlement of the Cambodia conflict.
Australia and the United States reaffirmed their strong support for Philippine democracy and their opposition to any efforts to change the government by non-constitutional means.
The two sides noted that the May national elections in Myanmar [Burma] demonstrated the overwhelming desire of the Burmese people for a return to democratic parliamentary government. They urge the Government of Myanmar to make an early transition to civilian government and to release all political prisoners.
The United States and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to all elements of the Comprehensive Plan of Action on Indochinese refugees, and expressed their support for ongoing efforts to ensure its implementation.
The Governments of the United States and Australia reaffirmed their shared desire to conclude at the earliest possible date a global convention on chemical weapons. The two sides pursued their dialogue on the issues remaining to be resolved in these negotiations.
Reviewing developments in Europe, the two sides welcomed the peaceful unification of Germany. They expressed satisfaction at the reduction of East-West military tension and their hopes for the early conclusion of the CFE [conventional armed forces in Europe] and START [strategic arms reduction talks] agreements. They reiterated their support for efforts to introduce market economies and political pluralism in Eastern Europe and the USSR.
While welcoming the positive developments in the overall global security environment, the two sides noted that the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and the destabilising transfer of missile technology are sources of grave concern in the post Cold War era.
The two sides welcomed the substantial agreements reached at the recent Fourth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in particular the agreement on fullscope safeguards as a condition of nuclear supply. They reaffirmed their continuing strong support for the Treaty and the international non-proliferation regime and their determination to work together for a successful review and lengthy extension of the Treaty in 1995.
Regional Security Issues
The two sides discussed the fundamental changes occurring in East-West relations and the implications of those changes for international security in the Asia-Pacific region. They reviewed recent regional and bilateral exchanges in this area.
The United States reiterated its intention to maintain a significant military presence in the Pacific region. Australia reaffirmed its view that such a United States military presence, including continuing access to military facilities in the Philippines, represents an important contribution to regional confidence and security.
Both sides reaffirmed their continuing commitment to close cooperation with South Pacific states to promote regional economic development, political stability and security. The fundamental importance accorded by Pacific countries and peoples to the management of their marine resources and environmental concerns was acknowledged. Progress over the past year towards the elimination of driftnet fishing in the South Pacific was noted with satisfaction, and both sides endorsed the aspirations of island countries to negotiate an effective management regime to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the southern albacore tuna fishery.
The United States and Australia agreed that the Johnston Atoll chemical agent disposal facility would play an important role as the first facility to begin large scale destruction of CW [chemical weapons] stocks. It will establish in practice the principle of destruction of these weapons which will be a central element in achieving a global ban on chemical weapons. Expressing sensitivity to the concerns of Pacific nations about the environmental impact of the facility's operations, the United States reiterated its intention to operate the facility in an environmentally safe manner, and reaffirmed its intention to destroy on the island only those chemical weapons already stored there, the U.S. CW stocks being shipped from the Federal Republic of Germany, and obsolete World War II munitions which may be found in the Pacific area.
The two sides welcomed increased contact between North and South Korea and, particularly, the recent meeting between the Prime Ministers of North and South Korea. They also welcomed the recent announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Soviet Union. In accord with the principle of universality, the United States and Australia support United Nations membership for the Republic of Korea without prejudice to the ultimate objective of reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and without opposition to simultaneous membership for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They noted that the Korean Peninsula must nevertheless remain a focal point for efforts to reduce tensions in Asia, and, in this context, emphasized the urgency and importance of North Korea fulfilling its obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to implement fullscope IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] safeguards on all its nuclear facilities.
Economic and Trade Issues
The United States and Australia reaffimed their support for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) process, the first ministerial meeting of which was held in Canberra November 6-7,1989. They welcomed the endorsement by ministers at Singapore July 29-31,1990, of a seven-point work program, and agreed to work with other APEC countries toward achieving the important benefits the process can bring to the region and the wider international community.
The two sides reaffirmed their common commitment to the multilateral trading system and to achieving a successful outcome from the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations. Both sides expressed an urgent need for progress on outstanding important issues, especially agriculture, and agreed that participants must make every effort to achieve a final outcome which adequately takes into account the interests of all GATT[General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade] member countries.
Australia expressed concern at the continuing resort to export subsidies in international agricultural trade. Australia also noted that the 1990 Farm Bill, now under consideration in Congress, contains several provisions which are of serious concern to Australia. The United States took note of Australia's concerns over the impact on Australia of U.S. agricultural trade policies. The U.S. stated its view that the EEP [export enhancement program] remains an important form of leverage in achieving significant reform in agricultural trade in global negotiations. Both sides agree that the best opportunity for achieving substantial reform of world agricultural policies is through the comprehensive, multilateral approach outlined in the draft framework agreement prepared by the chairman of the negotiating group on agriculture, Aart De Zeeuw, and reflected in the U.S. proposal for agricultural reform. The United States expressed its concern about Australian Government procurement offset policies as well as Australian local content requirements for commercials and those proposed for television broadcasting.
The two Governments also expressed support for the negotiation of a new legal instrument, within the Antarctic Treaty system, to provide comprehensive protection for the Antarctic environment. Australia recalled its view that no mining should take place in the Antarctic. The United States noted that it is prepared to consider an indefinite ban on mineral activity in Antarctica, but reiterated the need for an international consensus on the mining issue.
Last update: Wednesday, 25 March 2009 GMT+1100
