Fed: ALP rejects US missile defence cooperation

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2000
Fed: ALP rejects US missile defence cooperation

HOBART, Aug 3 AAP - Australian support for the United States missile defence shield
would be abandoned under a Labor government, with the ALP national conference today calling
for the project to be abandoned.

The Howard government has supported the US plan to protect itself from nuclear attack
through a national missile defence (NMD) system.

However Labor opposes the plan on the grounds that it could reignite the nuclear arms race.

It today approved an amendment to its platform which commits it to abandoning support
for the plan in government.

"In government, Labor will review any Australian involvement in NMD through the Pine
Gap early warning satellite relay station or other arrangements," the ALP platform now
reads.

"Our judgment is that Australia should not support or be involved in NMD research,
development or trials."

However Labor foreign affairs spokesman Laurie Brereton told the conference the ALP's
opposition to the NMD did not diminish its support for the US alliance.

"It means being honest with our friends," he said.

"If necessary, it means telling them when we think they're embarking on something that's
ill-considered and likely to be counter-productive.

"NMD is one such issue."

AAP ss/mk/bwl i

KEYWORD: ALP MISSILES

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