US A Dangerous Ally:
Former Australia PM
By Staff Reporter
January 26, 2015 "ICH"
- "China
Times" - - In his
new book titled "Dangerous Allies," Malcolm
Fraser, the former prime minister of
Australia worries that the Canberra's
dependence on the United States will
eventually bring the nation into a direct
conflict with China. His words echo those of
Georgetown University professor Amitai
Etzioni in and article he wrote for the
Diplomat on Jan. 20.
Australia has always been
strategically dependent on other great
powers since gaining independence in 1901.
It relied on the United Kingdom until World
War II and then transfered that dependence
to the United States afterwards. The
relationship grew stronger with the signing
of the Australia, New Zealand, United States
Security Treaty in 1951. Fraser said that
the treaty does not require the US to defend
Australia, only needing to "consult" it in
case of an attack.
In Fraser's book, he
describes how Australia's blind faith in the
UK before World War II left the country
unprepared for war. He then goes on to say
that currently many feel more vulnerable
because of the country's dependence on the
United States. What Fraser and many
Australian leaders fears most is that the
United States will get Australia involved in
a coflict not of its own making. "Australia
effectively ceded to America the ability to
decide when Australia goes to war," said
Fraser.
Fraser labelled the United
States a "dangerous ally" as Australia has
become progressively more enmeshed in
American strategic and military affairs
since the end of Cold War.
Just as with the armed
conflicts in the Middle East, Fraser said
that the conflict in Ukraine took place
partially due to Washington's attempt to
include Ukraine in NATO. He went on to blame
the United States lack of historical
understanding towards Russia on the matter.
Washington's policy to
"contain" China can eventually lead to
trouble for Australia. Believing that the
United States will eventually use Australia
as a base to attack China, Fraser suggested
the removal of all American military
facilities from Darwin in the north and Pine
Gap in the center of the country as soon as
possible. The former Australian leader added
that the country should be more independent
of the United States in both defense and
foreign affairs. While recommending that
Australia shore up its diplomatic activities
throughout Asia and at the UN, he also
suggested an increase in defense spending to
3% of the country's GDP
Copyright © 2015
WantChinaTimes.com
