AUSTRALIA: Australia yesterday became the first country publicly to declare its intention to join the controversial US missile defence programme, a move that is bound to create friction in the region.
Canberra said it had made a commitment in principle to participate in the programme, which aims to shield the US and its allies from ballistic missile attacks.
"We have given careful consideration and we think that we can play a part, obviously a small part in terms of the massive overall programme," said Mr Robert Hill, defence minister.
Details of the co-operation are still to be worked out but Mr Hill hinted that Australia was likely to seek to incorporate some of the US technology into air warfare destroyers planned for the Australian navy.
Japan is also reportedly close to deciding whether to introduce similar ship-based US technology. Such a move would be controversial because of the country's pacifist constitution. It would also exacerbate regional tension. But the threat posed by North Korea's ballistic missiles makes it likely Japan will have to seek some kind of defence.
Australia's centre-right coalition, which has strengthened already close national ties with the US since taking office in 1996, said the programme was aimed at dissuading countries from developing ballistic missiles and would contribute to regional security.
"I want to make this perfectly clear: missile defence systems are purely defensive; this is not an offensive system," said Mr Alexander Downer, the foreign minister, adding that Australia had briefed regional neighbours.
However, the decision was coolly received in Indonesia, which said it opposed the deployment of missile systems anywhere in the region and warned of the dangers of triggering an arms race.