News Stories - 3 November 2006
East Timor: Recent Unrest and UN Security Council Agreement on International Security Force
The United Nations Security Council unanimously decided on 27 October to retain the Australian-led international security forces (ISF). Although progress has been made in restoring stability, there were serious riots between rival gangs in the vicinity of Dili airport and other isolated pockets in the days following 25 October.
On 27 October, the United Nations (UN) Security Council unanimously decided to retain the ‘green helmet’ Australian-led ISF, rather than revert to UN-led blue-helmet peacekeepers, to support UN Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT) police operations.
- This will ensure continuity for the Australian-led ISF and allow UNMIT to focus on activities where it can most effectively contribute, such as policing, and political and community reconciliation.
- The ISF has several benefits, including: greater operational and logistical flexibility; proven command and control arrangements; and alleviation of UN budgetary pressures.
- The East Timorese Government supports retaining the ISF.
- As we have done since the unrest in April/May, we will continue to work closely with the UN and international community until the security situation has been stabilised.
- Australia continues to encourage a broader regional involvement through contributions to the ISF and UNMIT.
Although progress has been made in restoring stability, there were serious riots between rival gangs in the vicinity of Dili airport and other isolated pockets in the days following 25 October.
- UNMIT police, with the support of the ISF, have brought the situation under control.
- We are concerned about allegations that rioters have been paid to participate in the unrest and that illegal drugs fuelled the intensity of the riots. UNMIT will be investigating these allegations.
- We refute allegations that Australian personnel deployed to the ISF acted less than professionally or impartially during the latest riots.
North Korea’s announcement to return to six-party talks welcome
While North Korea’s announcement that it will return to the six-party talks is welcome, Australia will continue to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs and its recent test of a nuclear weapon represent the most significant regional security challenge in North Asia for many years.
The agreement on 31 October by North Korea to return to the six-party talks is welcome, but it is still not clear that North Korea is willing to give up its nuclear weapons programs.
o Merely returning to the six-party talks is not enough. North Korea must now move to completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle its nuclear and nuclear weapons programs, consistent with its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1718 must still be fully implemented, independent of the six-party talks process.
- Australia is moving quickly to implement its UNSC 1718 obligations.
- Currently developing an approach to cargo inspection and working on defining a luxury goods restriction list.
- Australia has already put in place a number of bilateral measures, such as targeted financial sanctions, a ban on DPRK ships from Australian ports and visa restrictions for DPRK citizens.
If the DPRK makes substantive progress through the six-party talks, Australia would positively consider provision of energy assistance, development assistance, and provision of safeguards expertise.
- But further development of our bilateral relationship, including development assistance, will remain on hold pending such progress.
- Australia will still continue to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea on a case-by-case basis.
Australia taking practical action on clean energy and climate change
Australia is supporting practical efforts with key regional partners on climate change and energy security. The Prime Minister has announced A$60 million support for cooperative projects under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
On 1 November the Prime Minister announced the first tranche of Australian project support under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6).
Australian funding of almost $60 million will support 42 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support energy security.
- The funding focuses on technology to provide cleaner fossil energy and to support the deployment of renewable energy in the region.
- Includes support for Australian technological breakthroughs on carbon capture and storage and solar energy.
Projects were drawn from over 90 projects developed by the AP6 (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States).
The AP6 has a groundbreaking agenda – six governments working with the private sector in the development and deployment of low emissions technology to meet energy demands in an environmentally sustainable way – with the key underlying feature that AP6 efforts must support economic growth.
Australia will support further AP6 projects as they are developed.
Australian Government promotes dialogue with community groups
The Australian Government continues to promote the common goals of social harmony and mutual understanding through ongoing dialogue with Muslims and other community groups.
Australia's diverse Muslim community is a well-established and integral part of contemporary Australian society.
The Australian Government has joined with a number of Australian Muslim community organisations (including the Australian Islamic Council of Victoria – www.icv.org.au) in repudiating recent negative comments about women made by Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali.
In a media release issued on 26 October, Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Amanda Vanstone, expressed anger and disappointment at the comments:
“Young Australian women – whether Muslim or non-Muslim – will be appalled at any suggestion they are inviting sexual assault by simply going about their daily business in a lawful manner.
I offer my strong support to all Muslim women who are affronted and offended at Sheik Hilali’s remarks.
Indeed, my heart goes out to all the good, decent Muslim men who must be sick and tired of being tainted by association with such outrageous views.
There is a new generation of Muslim Australians who are fed up with such hideous views being expressed purportedly on their behalf.”
The Australian Government’s cultural diversity policies support an environment where freedom of religion is observed and both cultural traditions and community harmony are maintained.
- This policy encourages respect for each person so that, subject to the law, all Australians are able to express their own beliefs and have a reciprocal obligation to respect the right of others to do the same.
The National Action Plan to build on social cohesion, harmony and security has been adopted jointly by the Australian Federal government and State and Territory governments and will be overseen by the Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
- The plan is designed to minimise extremism and the promotion of violence and intolerance.
News Stories - 27 October 2006
Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders made progress on a number of regional issues at their meeting in Nadi, Fiji, on 24 and 25 October.
Australia is pleased that Forum Leaders have provided a strong endorsement of Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and outlined a way forward to allow it to continue its good work.
Australia welcomed the unanimous decision by Leaders to reappoint Greg Urwin as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for a second three-year term.
Australia is pleased to see that work is progressing on the review of regional architecture and hope this will contribute to better regional coordination and more effective use of resources.
Leaders expressed satisfaction with the Pacific Plan, in its first year of operation and identified a number of priority areas of activity for the next twelve months, including energy, transport and ICT.
The Forum adopted a Declaration on Deep Sea Bottom Trawling to Protect Biodiversity in the High Seas.
Leaders expressed strong support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which condemned North Korea’s nuclear test, and urged North Korea to return to the six-party talks without delay.
Tonga will host the Forum in 2007.
Australia committed to helping Lebanon’s recovery
Australia is committed to assisting the reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. This week Australia announced it will provide a further A$15 million to assist in restoring health infrastructure, particularly for women and children.
Australia’s total contribution to Lebanon since July is A$24 million.
The A$15 million funding announced this week will primarily support restoring health infrastructure and providing adequate access to health facilities and services.
- The United Nations Children Fund will receive A$5 million for urgently needed programs such as the restoration of water and sanitation services.
- The World Health Organization will receive A$2.5 million to assist in restoring Lebanon’s health infrastructure and services.
- A$7.5 million will be provided for long-term reconstruction once the Government of Lebanon and international agencies determine needs and priorities.
Australia remains strongly committed to assisting the Lebanese Government in its reconstruction efforts.
Archived News Stories 2006
29 September & 6 October
22 September
15 September
1 & 8 September
18 & 25 August
4 & 11 August
21 & 28 July
7 & 14 July
30 June
16 & 23 June
2 & 9 June