This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6388557.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Cheney warns on Chinese build-up | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has expressed concern over China's military policies, saying they were at odds with the country's stated peaceful aims. | US Vice-President Dick Cheney has expressed concern over China's military policies, saying they were at odds with the country's stated peaceful aims. |
On a visit to Australia, he praised China's role in a nuclear deal with North Korea but criticised its military build-up and anti-satellite tests. | On a visit to Australia, he praised China's role in a nuclear deal with North Korea but criticised its military build-up and anti-satellite tests. |
Mr Cheney also thanked Australia for its support for US operations in Iraq. | Mr Cheney also thanked Australia for its support for US operations in Iraq. |
Australian PM John Howard is facing opposition on the issue, and there have been protests over Mr Cheney's visit. | Australian PM John Howard is facing opposition on the issue, and there have been protests over Mr Cheney's visit. |
The US vice-president commended Chinese leaders for their role in six-party talks with North Korea, which resulted in a landmark agreement on 13 February committing Pyongyang to shut down key nuclear facilities. | The US vice-president commended Chinese leaders for their role in six-party talks with North Korea, which resulted in a landmark agreement on 13 February committing Pyongyang to shut down key nuclear facilities. |
"The Chinese understand that a nuclear North Korea would be a threat to their own security," he said. | "The Chinese understand that a nuclear North Korea would be a threat to their own security," he said. |
Prime Minister Howard and the nation he serves has never wavered on the war on terror Dick Cheney | Prime Minister Howard and the nation he serves has never wavered on the war on terror Dick Cheney |
However, he added that "other actions by the Chinese government send a different message". | However, he added that "other actions by the Chinese government send a different message". |
He said China's destruction of an inactive weather satellite last month, as well as its "continued fast-paced military build-up are less constructive, and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise". | He said China's destruction of an inactive weather satellite last month, as well as its "continued fast-paced military build-up are less constructive, and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise". |
The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says the comments were significant because Mr Cheney often delivers the authentic voice of the White House. | |
Beijing has said the anti-satellite tests was for scientific purposes only, but many observers saw it as a demonstration of China's growing military power. | Beijing has said the anti-satellite tests was for scientific purposes only, but many observers saw it as a demonstration of China's growing military power. |
Reassurance | Reassurance |
Mr Cheney also questioned whether North Korea would abide by its commitments in the nuclear deal, saying the US was going "into this deal with our eyes open". | Mr Cheney also questioned whether North Korea would abide by its commitments in the nuclear deal, saying the US was going "into this deal with our eyes open". |
He arrived in Australia on Thursday after visiting Japan - another key US ally. | He arrived in Australia on Thursday after visiting Japan - another key US ally. |
China says it spent $36bn on its armed forces in 2006 | China says it spent $36bn on its armed forces in 2006 |
Correspondents say he has sought to assure both countries that Washington remains committed to the Asia-Pacific region, despite problems in Iraq. | Correspondents say he has sought to assure both countries that Washington remains committed to the Asia-Pacific region, despite problems in Iraq. |
During his speech in Sydney, Mr Cheney praised Mr Howard, who he said had "never wavered in the war on terror". | During his speech in Sydney, Mr Cheney praised Mr Howard, who he said had "never wavered in the war on terror". |
The vice-president said Australia had won global recognition for its efforts to fight terrorism. | The vice-president said Australia had won global recognition for its efforts to fight terrorism. |
"The United States appreciates it, and the whole world respects you for it," he added. | "The United States appreciates it, and the whole world respects you for it," he added. |
Mr Cheney warned of the dangers of an early withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. | Mr Cheney warned of the dangers of an early withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. |
"If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance of that country," he said. | "If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance of that country," he said. |
He also expressed concern that failure in Iraq would lead to more violence in the Middle East: "Having tasted victory in Iraq, jihadists would look for new missions". | He also expressed concern that failure in Iraq would lead to more violence in the Middle East: "Having tasted victory in Iraq, jihadists would look for new missions". |
Under pressure | Under pressure |
Australia currently has about 1,450 military personnel based in Iraq or involved in Iraq-related operations. | Australia currently has about 1,450 military personnel based in Iraq or involved in Iraq-related operations. |
There have been scuffles between police and anti-war protestersMr Howard faces an election battle this year and is under strong domestic pressure to announce a withdrawal of Australian forces. | There have been scuffles between police and anti-war protestersMr Howard faces an election battle this year and is under strong domestic pressure to announce a withdrawal of Australian forces. |
An opinion poll earlier this week suggested that more than two-thirds of Australians want Mr Howard to announce a date for withdrawing troops or to order an immediate pull out. | An opinion poll earlier this week suggested that more than two-thirds of Australians want Mr Howard to announce a date for withdrawing troops or to order an immediate pull out. |
But Mr Howard has instead offered to send an additional 70 military advisers to help train the Iraqi army. | But Mr Howard has instead offered to send an additional 70 military advisers to help train the Iraqi army. |
Protesters gathered in Sydney to rally against Mr Cheney's visit. | Protesters gathered in Sydney to rally against Mr Cheney's visit. |
Three people were arrested during scuffles on Friday, and at least seven were arrested after similar scenes on Thursday. | Three people were arrested during scuffles on Friday, and at least seven were arrested after similar scenes on Thursday. |
Mr Cheney is scheduled to hold talks with Mr Howard on Saturday. | Mr Cheney is scheduled to hold talks with Mr Howard on Saturday. |