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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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

Thank you

ENDS