

Speech

Paris, 1 February 2005

Australian responses to  global challenges

A Speech to the French  Institute of International  Relations

Introduction

Thank you Mr Moisi for your kind introduction.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I  am pleased to be able to speak once again at  this prestigious institution……which has a well-known, and well-deserved, international  reputation.

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (1 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:37 PM]

I am also very pleased to be visiting France at  this time to discuss with my counterparts and  colleagues here the key global challenges  before us.

This is an important opportunity to exchange  views and ideas on the best way we can  respond to these challenges……as nations in  our own right……but also as important players  in our own immediate regions - the Asia Pacific  and the European Union - and the wider  international community.

As we are all aware, we live in an increasingly  globalised world. This is true not only in terms  of economics, but also in terms of security.

International security today is becoming ever  more indivisible - what happens in one region  increasingly impacts on others. And the  challenges we face are complex, and have  global implications - terrorism, weapons of  mass destruction, weak and failing states. But  for these very reasons we cannot let them  fester or grow.

The key to success lies in finding the most  practical and effective ways to address these

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (2 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:37 PM]

problems head-on. Certainly the United  Nations system has an important role to  play...…but reform is necessary if it is to  respond more effectively to the challenges of  the 21 st century.

It is crucial that Governments and regional  organisations also continue to stand up and be  counted as key players on the international  stage……and show that they are willing and  able to address global challenges.

Before discussing how Australia is helping to  address global challenges, I would like to  comment on two significant recent events -  the historic multi-party elections in Iraq and  the ongoing response to the tsunami of 26  December.

These events are very different in nature - and  have focused our attention for very different  reasons. But both events have highlighted the  need to be flexible and nimble in the face of  evolving situations.

In Iraq, communities have shown courage and  determination in the face of  terrorists……terrorists who sought to prevent

them from participating in their country's first  multi-party elections in over four decades. But  the intimidation and violence did not succeed -  with voter turn out exceeding expectations.

The hard work of the Iraqi electoral  authorities, with the assistance of the  international community, has been  remarkable. We congratulate them for their  success - and for succeeding where many said  they could not. What all this has shown is that  ordinary Iraqis are ready and willing to  embrace a new system……to choose democracy  and freedom for a brighter and more secure  future.

Much remains to be done……with the election  of the 275 member Transitional Authority an  important, but initial, step along the path to  democracy. Drafting a constitution and holding  fresh elections will be complex and demanding  endeavours for the new government……quite  apart from the security challenges the country  will continue to face. But these are historic  events for the people of Iraq and they deserve  our support and encouragement as they make  their way towards democracy and build their  own future.

Of course, not all in the international  community, among them France, agreed on  the steps taken by the coalition - including  Australia - towards the overthrow of Saddam  Hussein's brutal dictatorship……but it was the  right thing to do.

I am very proud of the assistance Australia  provided towards last Sunday's election.

Australia will continue its efforts to help Iraq  in this next important phase - including by  training security personnel and ensuring that  Australians are on the ground to assist. And,  regardless of past differences, we encourage  all in the international community to look to  the future of Iraq.

The humanitarian disaster created by the  Boxing Day tsunami has shocked the  international community……the magnitude of  the devastation almost defying belief……with  estimates of at least 220,000 believed killed  and many more left homeless or displaced.  Few countries in the region - indeed around  the world - have been left untouched or  unscarred.

Among the dead are Australian and French  nationals, as well as a number of other  European nations. But at this time of great  despair I have been impressed by the  overwhelming response and support from  around the world.

The Australian people have opened their  hearts - as have those in France and other  European countries - as affected nations take  steps along the road to rebuilding shattered  communities.

In addition to the EU's contribution, the French  Government and people have already  generously donated over 150 million Euro in  direct financial assistance.

Australia was quick to respond to the  disaster……with our initial contribution of $60  million focused on supporting direct relief to  communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the  Maldives and other affected areas. Australia  has taken joint leadership with Thailand of the  disaster victim identification - or DVI - process  in Phuket...…and Australian public and  corporations have also given very generously.

Our major focus for disaster relief and  reconstruction is in the worst hit country - and  our immediate neighbour - Indonesia.

Prime Minister Howard and President  Yudhoyono of Indonesia have agreed on a  major new bilateral program - the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and  Development...…Australia's biggest ever single  aid initiative.

Through the Partnership, Australia will  contribute A$1 billion over the next five years  to the partnership - in addition to our existing  wide-ranging development assistance program  with Indonesia.

Global Security Challenges

These two recent events are vastly different in  nature. But they demonstrate the breadth of  challenges we all face……and that nations must  take advantage of all available options -  cooperating bilaterally, regionally or in  multinational fora - to meet these challenges.

We - Australia - are taking advantage of  existing cooperation arrangements in our own

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (7 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

region, and putting in place new ones to help  address the major global security challenges of  our time - terrorism, WMD proliferation and  the dangers posed by weak and failing states.

Effective cooperation with the United States -  a major ally - remains pivotal to success  against these threats…… with significant assets  and capacities to bring to bear in our own  region and globally.

From a European standpoint - but also for the  international community more widely - the  transatlantic relationship, NATO - with its  expanding role and cooperation, including with  Australia, which we value - and an enlarged  and evolving European Union, have very  important roles to play in addressing these  threats.

Indeed, a strong and effective transatlantic  relationship is essential for dealing with global  security challenges……challenges such as the  stabilisation and reconstruction of  Iraq……revitalising the Middle East Peace  Process……ensuring Iran nuclear program is  devoted exclusively to peaceful  purposes……and dealing with the threat of

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (8 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

international terrorism.

Terrorism

Counter-terrorism activities remain at the  forefront of Australia's agenda. While working  towards enhanced global counter-terrorism  cooperation, the Asia Pacific region remains  the major focus of our practical assistance.

We have been prepared to take a leadership  role……building frameworks for practical,  working-level cooperation with our neighbours  to disrupt terrorist networks. We have had  some success - with the terrorist group Jemaah  Islamiyah suffering degradation to its  operational network. But - as the bombing  outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta last  year showed - Jemaah Islamiyah retains a  capacity to inflict serious damage.

We cannot be, and are not, deterred by this.  Indeed our efforts and focus continue to go  from strength to strength.

Our network of bilateral counter-terrorism  memoranda of understanding with key regional  partners, and targeted capacity-building, are

crucial to our efforts. Including by facilitating  better intelligence sharing……strengthening  law-enforcement cooperation…… and  improving the links between operational  agencies at the front-line in the fight against  terrorism.

Our cooperation with Indonesia has been  particularly strong. In the aftermath of the  Bali bombings in 2002, Australian police  worked successfully with their Indonesian  counterparts to pursue the perpetrators.

We have helped establish the Jakarta Centre  for Law Enforcement Cooperation - to improve  law enforcement capabilities and to provide  operational support for region's efforts  (Australian funding $36.8 million over 5  years)……and to which we welcome the EU's  commitment of support and encourage  involvement of European donors;

And, this time last year, I co-hosted a Regional  Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism……a  meeting which has initiated an ongoing process  in strengthening regional legal frameworks.

Our bilateral counter-terrorism capacity-

building programs to Indonesia and the  Philippines - for which we recently doubled  funding - are assisting those countries to  improve law enforcement, border security and  anti-terrorist financing.

I welcome the recent decision by Europol to  negotiate an information sharing agreement  with the Australian Federal Police. This  agreement will strengthen the linkages  between our two regions towards our common  goal of eliminating international terrorism. But  long-term counter-terrorism success also  depends on winning the battle of ideas against  the extreme ideology which lies at the heart of  the contemporary terrorist threat.

There is a clear distinction between terrorism  that seeks to exploit Muslim populations on the  one hand and Islam itself on the other.

We - France and Australia - know that by far  the vast majority of Muslim populations  embrace a mainstream, pluralist, peaceful  model of co-existence within their own  countries and the regional community.

Within its own region, Australia is also taking

practical steps to promote understanding  between Muslim and non-Muslim  societies……including hosting leaders from  Indonesia's largest Islamic groups and  organising with Indonesia a regional inter-faith  dialogue.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

WMD proliferation, including the threat  terrorists could acquire WMD, is another major  security challenge of our times.

The uncovering of the proliferation network  run by Pakistan's AQ Khan and revelations  regarding Libya's past WMD-related  procurement prove the threat is indeed real.

The simple fact is that existing non-proliferation measures need to be bolstered,  and fully and fearlessly implemented, if we  are to stem illicit trade in WMD proliferation.  At the same time, we need to address gaps in  existing non-proliferation measures, such as  through the Proliferation Security Initiative -  or PSI.

The PSI focuses on practical measures to

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (12 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

impede and interdict flow of WMD materials  and is supported by over 60 countries -  including Australia and France as core  partners.

Australia has been working with others to  maintain pressure on Iran to resolve  international concerns about its nuclear  program……and we appreciate the steps taken  to address these concerns through the recent  EU3-Iran talks.

Iran has repeatedly denied it is developing  nuclear weapons… but it must cooperate fully  with the European Union and the International  Atomic Energy Agency to restore international  confidence in its claims that its nuclear  program is peaceful.

We have also strongly supported the Six Party  talks process designed to address North Korea's  nuclear issues. Our diplomatic links with North  Korea make us particularly well placed to  make a contribution on this issue.

Australia continues to support efforts to  ensure a strong and effective Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty……to help prevent the

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (13 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

spread of nuclear weapons, to progress  disarmament, and to maintain the climate of  confidence necessary for cooperation in the  peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Weak and Failing States

Weak and failing states are also a serious  concern for global and regional  security……with internal political strife,  corruption and poor governance all possible  causes of state vulnerability. Some states can  be open to those who seek to abuse their  weakness, as we know from al Qaeda and  Afghanistan under the Taliban. For others,  poor governance, crime and corruption put at  risk communities and economic development.

Australia is playing a leading role in efforts to  address vulnerability and institutional  weakness in our region… …and we are now  prepared to get more directly involved in cases  in the South Pacific where we believe we can  have a positive impact.

Improving governance and law enforcement  capacity is critical if the region is to make  sustainable development gains, find stability

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (14 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

and security, and address weaknesses for the  long term.

The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission  to Solomon Islands - or RAMSI - has made  excellent progress in restoring overall stability  and law order. This mission has now moved  into a governance phase to rebuild the  capacity and processes of government.

In Papua New Guinea, our existing A$300  million annual bilateral aid program has been  complemented by new funding of A$715  million over four years under the Enhanced  Cooperation Program - or ECP as we call it.  Under the ECP, Australia is in the process of  deploying Australian police and officials to  help improve law and order, economic  management, border controls and transport  security.

Australia has also been at the forefront of  efforts to reform the Pacific Islands  Forum……to ensure the focus is more strongly  on good governance and security issues.

It was pleasing last year to see that PIF  Leaders' agreed to advance the practical

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (15 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

application of pooled regional  resources......and adopted key findings of an  Australian-funded study on reforms to regional  transport, particularly the aviation sector.

We are also encouraging new regional  arrangements, like the Pacific Islands  Countries Trade Agreement, and the Pacific  Agreement on Closer Economic  Relations……which the French Territories in  the Pacific have been invited to join.

Initiatives such as these can provide building  blocks for expanded regional markets, greater  economies of scale, and enhanced foreign  investment.

Australia and France have a long history of  engagement and cooperation in the Asia  Pacific. And we value the role France  continues to play in contributing to  development and security in the region - and  particularly in the Pacific.

France is, of course, an active dialogue  partner with the Pacific Islands Forum and  both New Caledonia and French Polynesia are  observer countries.

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (16 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

We welcome the support we have received  from France for our good governance push in  the region……including French support in the  lead up to the Regional Assistance Mission to  Solomon Islands……and, more recently, in  responding to political developments in  Vanuatu, where the former Vohor Government  sought to play us off against each other.

I also know that PIF leaders have tasked the  PIF Secretary General to strengthen links with  Forum dialogue partners - including France -  and regional and international agencies. And I  would be delighted to see greater French, and  EU, involvement.

Australia and France enjoy good cooperation  on many issues - issues important to the  Pacific but also many in a wider context. We  have on-going collaboration on development  cooperation - including our joint five-year  commitment to target the spread of HIV/AIDs  in the Pacific. We have effectively responded  to natural disasters through the France,  Australia and New Zealand (FRANZ)  agreement. We cooperate on maritime  surveillance and undertake regular joint

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (17 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

defence exercises.

I should also take a moment to note the entry  into force today of the Treaty between  Australia and France on maritime cooperation  in the Southern Ocean……signalling the closer  cooperation between our two countries to  control illegal fishing activities in the Southern  Ocean that threaten the valuable fish stocks in  that area.

Conclusion

It is a great pleasure to have had the  opportunity to speak at IFRI this  evening……and to be in France once again to  hold important discussions with my French  counterparts and colleagues.

I think we would all agree that the times we  face are complex and challenging……not just  for the issues at hand……but also as we search  for the best solutions.

I hope you leave here today with a better  understanding of the pro-active role Australia  is taking to meet global  challenges……cooperating bilaterally,

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (18 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

Australian responses to global challenges

regionally with our neighbours, and  multilaterally to assist in building peace,  security and prosperity for our own region and  beyond.

Thank you

ENDS



http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2005/050201_french_institute_of_international_relations.html (19 of 19) [4/02/2005 2:04:38 PM]

