Up to 1000 US troops stationed in Darwin

Asked how the Chinese might react to the announcement, she said, “We’ve been an ally of the US for 60 years.

We’ve been friends for a lot longer.

“It’s not going to surprise anybody in China that Australia is an ally of the United States.”

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said there would not be a permanent US base in Australia.

But he hinted that a “joint facility” could be established.

America wants to set up a pre-positioning base in Darwin, probably next to Robertson Barracks.

Mr Smith said the base would hold equipment for humanitarian missions in Southeast Asia.

But reports from London yesterday said it would be part of a strengthened US military presence in northern Australia in response to the growing economic and defence might of China.

FOR MORE on this story including on security for Obama’s visit, see your print edition of the Sunday Territorian.

 

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