This seems like a lot of military hardware just for Iraq considering what is already there and especially now that their own forces are allegedly taking control.
"There was never a plan to leave Iraq because there is no intention to leave Iraq. We (the Americans) are currently building 14 bases there. Dick Cheney can't imagine giving up that oil. The military can't imagine giving up those bases. That's why they can't come up with a plan to leave." Chalmers Johnson, author of Sorrows of Empire, in LA Weekly, July 6
The division's entire 2nd Brigade would begin pulling out of South Korea next week, and the entire unit would be in Iraq by the end of August, Gen. Richard Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, said at the Pentagon on Friday. It is expected to operate in western Iraq with Marine units.
-Am
By Hans Greimel Associated Press July 17, 2004
SEOUL, South Korea -- Round-the-clock train and truck convoys are moving military hardware from the tense border with North Korea as the U.S. Army prepares to redeploy 3,600 troops to Iraq.
The massive logistical feat began July 7 and is moving hundreds of Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, Humvees and artillery pieces to the southern port city of Busan to be shipped out under tight security.
About 3,600 troops from the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, dug into encampments between Seoul and the heavily fortified border with North Korea, will follow their equipment to Iraq.
The division's entire 2nd Brigade would begin pulling out of South Korea next week, and the entire unit would be in Iraq by the end of August, Gen. Richard Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, said at the Pentagon on Friday. It is expected to operate in western Iraq with Marine units.
The redeployment -- one of the biggest realignments in a decade along the Cold War's last frontier -- was announced in May and signals the first significant change of U.S. troop levels in South Korea since the early 1990s.
The equipment is arriving round-the-clock at the Busan port, where soldiers are working two 12-hour shifts, Army spokeswoman Maj. Kathleen Johnson said.
The 2nd Infantry Division's 14,000 troops form the mainstay of the 37,000 U.S. troops in South Korea.
For decades, the U.S. troops have buttressed South Korea's 650,000-member military in guarding against the communist North's 1.1 million-member military, the world's fifth largest.
China hopes to further military ties with New Zealand
How deep of an alliance with New Zealand can China bring together? One thing is almost certain, few countries will refuse China, the new leader.
"We can't afford not to enhance our relationship with China at this point in our history,"
THE Howard Government has given its most upbeat assessment yet on a free trade agreement with China, claiming it would be "arguably more important" than Australia's bilateral pact with the US #msg-4438656
During the last four years under Bush China was able to gain considerable ground as the poor simpleton in the White House proved no match for the Dragon. I expect to see an even more accelerated agenda from China during Bush’s second term.
Simultaneously China is establishing bases on Tarawa and in the Spratley Islands in the Philippines, with the obvious intent of controlling another key maritime choke point, the Malacca Strait, through which much oil and other strategically important trade commodities are transported. #msg-2384357
The outlying islands -- Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia – are the first chain of defense for China. Much press has already been given to Japan and Taiwan. The Philippines have been leaning toward China and Indonesia is seeing some heavy terrorist activity which might be covertly backed by China as it is to their advantage. http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=4007221
China is trying to take back the strategically placed island of Kiribati. South of Kiribati the Chinese military influence was starting to replace that of Tonga's traditional partners. #msg-3377985
Again I am not sure how strong an alliance New Zealand and China will form. Looking at the map, the Dragon’s influence in New Zealand, Tonga, Kiribati possibly Australia not only surrounds America Samoa but draws a straight line to Hawaii.
-Am
China hopes to further military ties with New Zealand
www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-03 13:46:12
BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) hopes to work with the New Zealand armed forces to pushforward bilateral friendship and cooperation up to a new, higher height, said Chinese Minister of National Defense Cao Gangchuan here Wednesday.
Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, made the remarks during his meeting with visitingNew Zealand's navy commander Major General RAdm D. Ledson.
Cao said that the relations between the two armed forces showedsound growing momentum in recent years along with the smooth development of Sino-New Zealand friendly relations.
The two armed forces kept frequent exchanges and visits and their friendly cooperation progressed smoothly, acknowledged Cao. He expressed the belief that Ledson's present China trip will promote the friendly cooperative ties between the two armed forces,especially their two navies.
Ledson said the exchange of visits between the personnel and fleets of the two armed forces play a very crucial role in the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.
New Zealand armed forces will make active efforts to boost bilateral military ties, Ledson added.
Ledson and his party arrived in Beijing Saturday for an official friendly visit to China. Enditem
US call for more bases in Australia The Target is China
Statements by top US military chief General Charles Robertson that the US needs more bases in Australia and other Asia-Pacific sites is further proof that the US Government is turning its attention away from the Europe and towards our region. With an Australian Prime Minister who wants to be US "deputy sheriff", we may see the already excessive 30 US bases in Australia swell to include US troops and weaponry stationed in this country.
By Denis Doherty AABCC Co-Ordinator
The call for more US bases comes on the back of US moves to develop its National Missile Defence (NMD) and its policy to thwart China's desire for a united China which will include Taiwan.
NMD is a deliberately aggressive policy and has nothing to do with defence. It is the projection of US power into space so that quite literally the US can attack any terrestrial target without fear of retaliation. US military chiefs already talk of controlling space as the colonial powers controlled the sea in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.
A recently released US strategic review which suggests the US reorder its priorities in response to an "aggressive" China also forms a backdrop to the demand for more US bases in Australia.
In 2000, for the first time ever, the US held more military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region than in the European 'theatre'. The evidence is overwhelming that the US and its allies are positioning themselves to fight China.
The ABC program Foreign Correspondent (19/6/01) reported on a US exercise called Cobra in Thailand to strengthen its border against China. Australia has just seen the Tandem Thrust exercise that was designed to improve US-Australian joint operations in sea borne invasions.
General Robertson, chief of the US mobility command, complained last week that US forces had "a very, very small toehold in Australia". He also mentioned New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the Indian Ocean. Just what is this "small toehold" that the US has in Australia?
The US has permanent facilities with a range of sophisticated electronic, communications and intelligence gathering abilities. It has unlimited access to all Australian Defence Force (ADF) training facilities, such as the bombing range at Delamere near Katherine and the jungle training area at Shoal Bay near Rockhampton.
The use of all these facilities is subsidised by subservient Australian Governments, both Liberal and Labor.
Treaties and other agreements exist which put Australian ports, airports and military bases at the disposal of the US military in the case of an emergency. In the event of military action, the US already has in place the necessary formal agreements and the lines of communication, intelligence and logistics needed for them to use Australian territory. Such joint operations have already been tested and practised in war games.
Not satisfied with these major contributions to the US by successive sycophantic Australian Governments, the US military now wants to put its jack-booted foot on our country through even more military bases. One facility frequently mentioned is a US marine base at Darwin to replace a similar facility that had aroused the fury of the local community at Okinawa in Japan. RAAF bases are also in line for use by the US military so they can have high speed transport aircraft ready to overcome 'the tyranny of distance in the Asia-Pacific region'.
Every year talks are held between the Australian and US Foreign and Defence Ministers. This year it is Washington's turn to play host. The Howard Government is keen to gain and flaunt US approval in an election year. The ALP is critical (in opposition) of NMD but still supports the bases and other facilities the US has in Australia.
A major fight is looming to protect Australia's interests and to prevent Australia becoming even more involved in US aggression against China.
Got a post today from a bloke in WA who knows a few people in the military and he says rumours are that they're building a base in the NT just over from the WA border. It's supposed to be housing two squadrans of fighter/bombers and 30 000 marines.
If true it can't be allowed to occur. Our foreign policy has already been hijacked by the US and having any of their military here other than the small amount already here is an insult and in violation of our sovereign rights.
-------------------- The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists - J Edgar Hoover http://www.libertyforum.org
Member Rated: posted 17 July, 2005 11:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hate to tell you guys; but we already have US bases in OZ. Northern WA and Central OZ, they've there a while too. Interesting points about the Israel base though; 1) The contractor is Arabic. 2) "Rumour" has it that it is being built for the UN and will be handed over in the next 2 years.(This of course is unsubstantiated rumour at this stage)
Member Rated: posted 17 July, 2005 02:27 PM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by rottenjohnh: Niall
Got a post today from a bloke in WA who knows a few people in the military and he says rumours are that they're building a base in the NT just over from the WA border. It's supposed to be housing two squadrans of fighter/bombers and 30 000 marines.
If true it can't be allowed to occur. Our foreign policy has already been hijacked by the US and having any of their military here other than the small amount already here is an insult and in violation of our sovereign rights. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in what way? are you saying that US have invaded Australia and are establishing military bases without the federal governments permission?
-------------------- Proud to be an Infidel
"cultural diversity is a unifying force"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 5346 / From: Sydney / Registered: Dec 2003 / IP: Logged /
Niall
Member Member # 1083
Member Rated: posted 17 July, 2005 03:22 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RJH, I wouldn't be at all surprised. Howard has allowed the Yanks to ream Australia over & over. If indeed there is another base being established, apart from NW Cape and Pine Gap, it's simply proof positive that Howard continues to betray the trust (such as it is) of the Australian people behind their backs.
-------------------- always focussing on the wrong things I see darrinh Focus? What focus?
Member Rated: posted 18 July, 2005 04:06 AM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- in what way? are you saying that US have invaded Australia and are establishing military bases without the federal governments permission?
Old Glory is alive and well in OZ. We don't need the furfy of a republican debate, we just need to put another star and another stripe on it, then run it up the flag pole.
They dont need permission to build bases in Australia, they own us, or at least our Governments.
Member Rated: posted 18 July, 2005 04:10 AM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Wolf:
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- in what way? are you saying that US have invaded Australia and are establishing military bases without the federal governments permission?
Old Glory is alive and well in OZ. We don't need the furfy of a republican debate, we just need to put another star and another stripe on it, then run it up the flag pole.
They dont need permission to build bases in Australia, they own us, or at least our Governments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
whatever fanciful histronics you wish to engage in, at the end of the day, the bases, including pine gap, were built with the knowledge and permission of the Australian Government, there has been no invasion or infringement of our soverenity.
-------------------- Proud to be an Infidel
"cultural diversity is a unifying force"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 5346 / From: Sydney / Registered: Dec 2003 / IP: Logged /
Jimoin
Member Member # 279
Member Rated: posted 18 July, 2005 04:21 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You wouldn't be saying that if these were Iranian bases.
-------------------- 'Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. All human progress has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 2605 / From: China / Registered: Aug 2003 / IP: Logged /
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