In Bali, President Obama holds opens door for Secretary of State

Clinton before her announcement that she will travel to Myanmar

within days. The totalitarian pariah state may be coming in from

the cold, after an announcement that Myanmar will chair the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.

The Jakarta Post, Indonesia

U.S. Base in Australia 'Too Close for Comfort'

"As for the choice of location for the base, has America ever heard the expression 'not in my backyard' - NIMBY?"

EDITORIAL

November 18, 2011

Indonesia - The Jakarta Post - Original Article (English)

On the eve of a visit to Indonesia for the East Asia Summit [EAS], U.S. President Barack Obama dropped a bombshell: He announced a deal with Australia that would practically turn the port city of Darwin into a U.S. military base. For Indonesia, and for most Southeast Asian nations for that matter, the move isn't the signal they were looking for in terms of greater U.S. engagement with Asia.

According to the plan, as many as 2,500 Marines will be stationed in Darwin, effectively adding another fully-fledged U.S. military base to those that already exist in Okinawa, Japan and South Korea.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

The presence of a U.S. base just south of Indonesia is simply too close for comfort. Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Indonesia had been informed of Australia's decision. But to prevent misunderstandings and tensions, he was right to insist on greater transparency when it comes to the security scenarios being envisaged by the U.S. and Australia.

In the face of rising tensions in the South China Sea, it has been reported that the purpose of the base is to strengthen the projection of U.S. power. China and some smaller Southeast Asian nations have competing territorial South China Sea claims. The timing of Obama’s announcement is bound to stir controversy.

SEE ALSO ON THIS:
The People's Daily, China: Australia Should Not Help U.S. Hurt China's Interests
Australia: Aussie Coverage of Obama's Visit to Darwin; His Challenge to China
Isen Shimbun, Japan: Despite its Mistakes, Japan Needs U.S. More than Ever
The Hankyoreh, South Korea: Talk of Renewed North Korea-China Alliance
Huanqui, China: America Stirs Anti-China Fears in South China Sea
Mainichi Shimbun: China 'Mustn't Be Permitted' to Push Around its Neighbors
People's Daily, China: Clinton's 'Insults' Violate China's Human Rights
People's Daily, China: U.S. Internet Hypocrisy Creates Global Suspicion
Huanqui, China: U.S.-Listed Chinese Firms are Ruining China's Reputation
Huanqui, China: Blunt Talk Reflects Improved Sino-U.S. Military Relations

In recognition of their geopolitical interests and the role they could play in a rapidly developing Asia, the EAS has been expanded this year to include the U.S. and Russia. But there are many ways other than a greater military presence for improving U.S. engagement. As EAS host, Indonesia should ensure that the forum isn't turned into just another discussion of regional security, and includes other issues more central to improving human living standards.

As for the choice of location for the base, has America ever heard the expression “not in my backyard” - NIMBY?

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US, Nov. 18, 12:43am]