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President Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak Wednesday in Canberra, Australia, unveiling plans to deploy 250 U.S. Marines there next year.
Marines to Build Force in Australia Irking China, U.S. announces buildup of regional presence 9WdX[hhW" 7kijhWb_W President Obama insisted Wednesday that the United States does not fear China, even as he announced a new security agreement with Australia that is widely viewed as a response to China’s growing aggressiveness. China responded swiftly, warning that an expanded U.S. military footprint in Australia may not be appropriate. The agreement, announced during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, will expand the U.S. military presence in Australia and increase American access to bases. About 250 U.S. Marines will begin a rotation in northern Australia starting next year, with a force of 2,500 military personnel over the next several years. “We are here to stay,” Obama
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8WYaijeho Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the goal of the new pact between the U.S. and Australia is to signal that the two will stick together in the face of any threats. In addition to an expanded Marine presence, more U.S. aircraft will rotate through Australia. The only U.S. base now in Australia is the secretive Australia-U.S. complex at Pine Gap in central Australia. But there are hundreds of U.S. service personnel there on exchange. (AP)
said. “This is a region of huge strategic importance to us.” Obama called the deployment “significant,” though U.S. officials emphasized the pact was not an attempt to create a permanent U.S. military presence in Australia. The president sidestepped questions about whether the agreement was aimed at containing China, which has recently tested a new stealth jet fighter and launched its first aircraft carrier. (AP/ T WP)
J^[ dkcX[h e\ dWj_edi j^Wj h[jW_d Ybkij[h ckd_j_edi" despite an international ban on clus-
ter bombs that took effect in August 2010, the London-based Cluster Munition Coalition said Wednesday. Sixty-one nations have adopted the law, though the U. S. has not, insisting cluster bombs are a valid weapons of war when used properly. (AP)
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*TERMS & CONDITIONS: Departing IAD. PACKAGE: Package includes round-trip transatlantic air, four nights at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, guaranteed check-in from 10am, Golden Circle and Magical Lights afternoon and evening tour. Price displayed represents round-trip travel to KEF based on two traveling together on the same itinerary; subject to availability and price change based on departure date and gateway. Valid for departure Nov 26–Dec 17, 2012. Not Included: Personal travel insurance, airport/hotel transfers (transfers can be booked online). Minimum stay 4 nights; extra nights are at passenger expense. All nights must be in hotels booked through Icelandair Holidays. Nonrefundable, Changes subject to $400 penalty 30–60 days prior to departure; non changeable 29 days or less prior to departure. All fees are per person. Lower priced packages may be available on www.icelandair.us. Other restrictions apply. Seats are limited. Prices quoted include applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approx. $100 per person, including the September 11th Security Fee.