The Hon Stephen Smith MP  AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS



Media Release

28 September 2009

Visit to Washington DC



Today I held discussions in Washington DC with senior members of the United States  Administration.

The Australia-United States Alliance, which now spans some 60 years, is indispensable to  Australia’s strategic, defence and security arrangements.

Australia and the United States are key security and economic partners both in the Asia  Pacific region and globally.

My discussions today followed meetings in New York last week with Secretary of State  Hillary Clinton, and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador  Richard Holbrooke.

This morning I met with Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense and Admiral Mike Mullen,  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I also met with National Security Adviser General Jim Jones and Special Representative for  North Korea Policy, Ambassador Stephen Bosworth.

My discussions today focussed on key shared security interests, including the stabilisation  and reconstruction of Afghanistan through the International Security Assistance Force  (ISAF).

The United States and Australia are committed to military and civilian efforts to stabilise  Afghanistan and prevent it from again becoming a base for international terrorism.

I also discussed recent developments with respect to Iran’s nuclear programme.

Earlier this week, the Iranian Government informed the International Atomic Energy Agency  that a fuel enrichment facility was under construction at Qom.

Iran’s failure to disclose this facility was in direct violation of resolutions of the Security  Council and its obligations to the IAEA. Iran’s nuclear intentions remain a matter of grave  concern to Australia and the international community.

Australia has called on Iran to engage seriously and openly at the talks with the Permanent  Five members of the Security Council and Germany to be held in Geneva on 1 October.



Media inquiries:

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500   Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555





