News Stories - 22 February 2007
Australia remains committed to the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan
The Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan opened a Vocational Training Centre at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan on 17 February. The training centre was built by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) and is further evidence of Australia’s commitment to the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
On 17 February the Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan opened a Vocational Training Centre at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan, southern Afghanistan.
Australia’s RTF built the centre, which is already delivering trades skills training to local residents. Afghanistan’s Minister for Rehabilitation and Development and Oruzgan’s representatives in both houses of the Afghan National Parliament attended the opening.
The Minister is keen to further the Afghan Government’s association with the Australian Government.
The RTF is part of the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Task Force (PRTF) in Oruzgan province and is mainly composed of reconstruction engineers, who are undertaking infrastructure development and skills training.
The RTF is a key element of Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan which also includes:
- a 110-strong aviation support element;
- a major aid commitment of up to $150 million over five years; and
- by March 2007, four Australian Federal Police officers who will work on police training and counter-narcotics.
Australia provides $6 million to support displaced Iraqis
Australia providing $6 million to support Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were displaced under Saddam Hussein’s regime. Current terrorist and sectarian violence have further exacerbated this problem.
Australia will provide further assistance to Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.
$3 million will go to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries like Syria and Jordan. $3 million is for the International Organisation for Migration to assist Iraqis who have been forced from their homes and are living elsewhere in Iraq.
Since 2003 Australia has committed $173 million to help Iraq meet is humanitarian and reconstruction needs.
News Stories - 15 February 2007
Six Party Talk Outcomes
Australia welcomes and supports the statement reached at the latest round of Six Party Talks in Beijing (8-13 February) committing North Korea to begin permanently dismantling its nuclear weapons programs. Australia is willing to support substantive six-party progress through the provision of energy assistance, bilateral development assistance and safeguards expertise. Such measures will not diminish Australia's commitment to implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which remains in force.
Australia welcomes and supports the statement reached at the latest round of Six Party Talks in Beijing (8-13 February) committing North Korea to begin permanently dismantling its nuclear weapons programs.
Key now will be whether North Korea delivers on these undertakings and those of the September 2005 Joint Statement.
This process now opens the door for North Korea to rejoin the international community as a responsible member.
The substantial assistance it has been offered under the statement demonstrates that responsible action will gain for North Korea the help it requires to alleviate the hardships of its long-suffering people.
North Korea must now seize this opportunity, and move rapidly to implement the steps laid out in the statement.
Australia worked closely with the United States, Japan and others to co-ordinate international pressure over North Korea’s nuclear test, which has bought that country back to the negotiating table.
Australia is willing to support substantive six-party progress through the provision of energy assistance, bilateral development assistance and safeguards expertise, and we are now considering possible options.
Such measures will not diminish Australia's commitment to implementation of UNSC Resolution 1718, which remains in force, or the financial sanctions that Australia implemented on 19 September 2006.
North Korea and its actions are now the key to progress.
North Korea needs to attain the goals set out in the Joint Statement of Principles agreed among the six parties in September 2005, abandon all its nuclear weapons and nuclear programs and return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to IAEA safeguards.
Concrete actions to that end will open the way to a restoration of normal Australia-DPRK relations.
Australia concerned about events in the Solomon Islands
Foreign Minister Downer has written to the people of Solomon Islands (SI) to express concern at the direction of events in the country. The letter highlights the seriousness of the issues facing Solomon Islands – on the future of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and the re-arming of SI police. It reaffirms the commitment of Australia and the region to keep RAMSI in place.
Mr Downer has written a letter to the people of Solomon Islands, published in SI media on 9 February. He has taken this step because he is deeply worried about the direction of events in the country and the implications for RAMSI, and judges it is important Solomon Islanders have accurate information about the views of Australia, a friend and the leader of RAMSI.
The letter notes the achievements since RAMSI’s arrival in restoring law and order, revitalising the economy and rebuilding government institutions, and re-affirms the commitment of Australia and regional neighbours to keep the mission in place, particularly given its strong public support.
However, the letter notes with concern a deliberate push to make it difficult for RAMSI to continue its work, and the erosion of key government institutions, such as the Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and Police Commissioner positions.
The letter outlines, in particular, concerns at the move to re-arm the SI police, in the absence of proven capacity, and in the face of strong public opposition.
It also makes clear that RAMSI has worked to restore SI sovereignty, ensuring the population can live in peace and prosperity and helping build institutions capable of delivering essential services.
These are the basic building blocks of sovereignty.
Australia provides aid to assist businesses in Tonga
Australia will provide up to $1.5 million for a reconstruction package designed to support businesses in Tonga recover from last year’s civil unrest.
During the civil unrest in Tonga, in November 2006, over 130 businesses were damaged, resulting in severe repercussions for the Tongan economy.
Australia’s contribution of up to $1.5 million is part of the Business Recovery Fund designed by the Australian, New Zealand, and Tongan Governments.
The contributions to the facility will be held in trust at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. It will be managed by an independent monitor that will distribute the funds via the commercial banks to eligible businesses
The facility will offer:
- a business advisory service;
- access to subsidised loans for two years; and
- a credit guarantee scheme.
The distribution of the funds will be independently monitored to ensure accountability and transparency.
Australia is committed to helping businesses in Tonga to rebuild, re-open and rehire employees, all of which will assist the people and economy of Tonga.