-------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:48:57 -0700 (PDT) From: jeff wefferson <•••@••.•••> To: Richard Moore <•••@••.•••> ---<snip>--- [Please help with] raising awareness about the global significance of the vote soon to happen in the Australian parliament on whether or not to abandon the years-old "three mines" policy...from what I hear it's already a done deal to forge ahead with "Saudi Australia"...but it's truly a stake in the heart of life as we know it. You could mention http://www.peaceconvergence.com ...Bradbury's concert happening at Rockhampton in June when the Talisman Sabre Operation is in full swing -------- Thanks Jeff. Here's an article for our readers, found by Google: -------------------------------------------------------- "...the possibility of Australia becoming the world's biggest exporter of uranium has divided Labor." Original source URL: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1607489.htm ABC Online PM - Labor divided over 'three mines' policy [This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1607489.htm] PM - Monday, 3 April , 2006 18:10:53 Reporter: Alexandra Kirk MARK COLVIN: Australia's and China's foreign ministers have signed agreements that will let Australia export uranium to China for nuclear power generation. The Federal Government insists that stringent safeguards will be in place to ensure the uranium is only used for peaceful purposes, and cannot find its way to the Chinese military. The deal could be worth billions of dollars. It's raised the ire of some conservationists, and critics of China's human rights record. At the same time, the possibility of Australia becoming the world's biggest exporter of uranium has divided Labor. Some in the party are urging an end to the party's "no new mines" or "three mines" policy, to pave the way for state Labor governments to be able to open a number of new mines. From Canberra, Alexandra Kirk reports. ALEXANDRA KIRK: Prime Minister John Howard and Premier Wen Jiabao started the day together, with an early morning circuit of Lake Burley Griffin. Mr Howard's a fast walker. The Chinese leader thinks it was more than a walk. WEN JIABAO (translated): Former Australian prime minister Robert Gordon Menzies said that we need "to strive to seek to find and not to yield", and I came across the statute of prime minister Menzies in the morning, when I jogged together with Prime Minister John Howard. ALEXANDRA KIRK: After signing the Prime Minister's visitor's book, Premier Wen disappeared from the glare of the cameras into Mr Howard's office, to discuss the serious business of buying Australian uranium for China's nuclear power program. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and his Chinese counterpart signed a nuclear transfer agreement and a nuclear cooperation agreement, which establish safeguards and conditions to ensure Australian uranium and any collaborative nuclear technology programs are used exclusively for peaceful purposes. The uranium deal could be worth billions of dollars. China also wants to invest in Australian mining companies. Both leaders are keen to stress the strong ties between their two countries. JOHN HOWARD: Of all of the relationships that Australia hasŠ major relationships that Australia has with other countries, none has been more completely transformed than the relationship with China over the last 10 years. WEN JIABAO (translated): I'm firm in the belief that with considered efforts by bot countries, China-Australia relations of all round cooperation will yield rich fruits. Thankyou. ALEXANDRA KIRK: The most contentious issue has been that of the safeguards underpinning future uranium sales. Mr Howard and Mr Wen, speaking through an interpreter, want to reassure critics the safeguards are strict and enforceable. WEN JIABAO (translated): The agreement that we enter today has provided safeguards, for the peaceful purposes of our nuclear cooperation, We must proceed with our cooperation in this field on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and equality. JOHN HOWARD: I am satisfied that the safeguards that are there will be enforced, and it's on that basis that the agreements are being signed. ALEXANDRA KIRK: But the critics are not convinced. Greens Senator Christine Milne says the Government has put dollars before human rights and global security. CHRISTINE MILNE: Alexander Downer today said that nuclear waste can be disposed of safely. He is wrong. Alexander Downer said today, that the safeguards are strict. They are not. For China, it is a voluntary arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. There's no doubt that what we signed up to today is an arrangement which cannot guarantee that Australian uranium will not end up in a weapons program in a totalitarian dictatorship. ALEXANDRA KIRK: And Chen Yonglin, the former diplomat based at China's consulate in Sydney, who was granted an Australian visa last year, is also against the deal. CHEN YONGLIN: This is short-sighted and a suicidal action actually, and the Chinese communist dictatorship can never be trusted, they has been told lies to the world. ALEXANDRA KIRK: On a broader front, John Howard says he reaffirmed Australia's One-China policy to Premier Wen. JOHN HOWARD: Australia has never played down, or in any sense apologised for the closeness of our relationship with the United States. That relationship is deep, it's based on history and shared values, and it's arguable stronger now than ever before. ALEXANDRA KIRK: And Labor's Kim Beazley offered his bipartisan support. KIM BEAZLEY: It is also been gratifying for all of us here in this country that we have not been involved in choices, between old commitments in relation to our strong alliance relationship with the United States, and new commitments related to our engaged status as an engaged dialogue partner. ALEXANDRA KIRK: Despite the strong bilateral ties, China's aware of US and regional suspicion about its military build-up, with Premier Wen offering this reassurance. WEN JIABAO (translated): China has reduced its military forces by more than 1.7 million over the past two decades and more. The share of China's military spending, in its GDP and government budget, is fairly low by international standard. The modest increase in China's military expenditure is mainly for improving the welfare of its servicemen, strengthening its defence capabilities, and safeguarding national reunification. Thus, China will not pose a threat on anyone. China's defence policy is transparent. ALEXANDRA KIRK: The uranium deal could see mining increase threefold. Further down the track that would mean new mines need to open. Labor's resources spokesman Martin Ferguson, thinks it's time his party ditched its no new mines policy, giving state Labor governments the freedom to cash in on the massive export boost. But the environment spokesman Anthony Albanese says there's no mood for change in the ALP. The Prime Minister's watching closely. JOHN HOWARD: There are signs that the three mine policy is already crumbling. And we'll examine that, and watch developments in that area with great interest and the Government will also, in the fullness of time, examine what other capacities the national Government has, if that becomes necessary. ALEXANDRA KIRK: Kim Beazley won't say whether he'll push for a policy change. He's hedging his bets, saying Labor doesn't have to make a decision any time soon. But he does want to see Australia capitalise on the impending boom. KIM BEAZLEY: We are about to become the world's largest supplier of uranium. The arrangement with yourselves guarantees that. And therefore, we are the world's nation, most devoted to an effective non-proliferation regime. To make that regime effective is of vital importance to this nation. MARK COLVIN: Kim Beazley ending Alexandra Kirk's report. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation Copyright information: http://abc.net.au/common/copyrigh.htm Privacy information: http://abc.net.au/privacy.htm -- -------------------------------------------------------- Escaping the Matrix website: http://escapingthematrix.org/ cyberjournal website: http://cyberjournal.org Community Democracy Framework: http://cyberjournal.org/DemocracyFramework.html Subscribe cyberjournal list: •••@••.••• (send blank message) Posting archives: http://cyberjournal.org/show_archives/ Moderator: •••@••.••• (comments welcome)
