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Japanese may train with Australian troops
Source: Xinhua |
April 23, 2011, Saturday
|
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Online Edition
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today Japanese troops could be allowed to train in Australian defense units under a new vision for greater military co-operation by both countries.
According to The Weekend Australian, last year, Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitizawa was keen for Japanese troops to draw on the combat experience that Australian soldiers have gained in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gillard, who is in Tokyo of Japan, said she is yet to receive a formal proposal, but supports the idea being discussed by the defense and foreign ministers of each country.
"I am open to the idea being explored as part of this process that we have outlined," she told The Weekend Australian.
"We would need to work it through and see what request Japan might or might not make of us. We do have good links and partnerships at the moment and so we are looking to build on that with this vision of defense co-operation bilaterally for the future. We are in a region with reasons for defense co-operation."
Although Japan's post-war military is restricted to self- defense and peacekeeping operations, Tokyo is keen to boost its combat readiness in response to the growing threat of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
During Gillard's trip to Japan, the two countries have already signed a resupply and cross-servicing pact that allows the forces to operate closely during disasters or peacekeeping operations. The two sides are also eyeing a pact to share intelligence.
According to The Weekend Australian, last year, Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitizawa was keen for Japanese troops to draw on the combat experience that Australian soldiers have gained in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gillard, who is in Tokyo of Japan, said she is yet to receive a formal proposal, but supports the idea being discussed by the defense and foreign ministers of each country.
"I am open to the idea being explored as part of this process that we have outlined," she told The Weekend Australian.
"We would need to work it through and see what request Japan might or might not make of us. We do have good links and partnerships at the moment and so we are looking to build on that with this vision of defense co-operation bilaterally for the future. We are in a region with reasons for defense co-operation."
Although Japan's post-war military is restricted to self- defense and peacekeeping operations, Tokyo is keen to boost its combat readiness in response to the growing threat of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
During Gillard's trip to Japan, the two countries have already signed a resupply and cross-servicing pact that allows the forces to operate closely during disasters or peacekeeping operations. The two sides are also eyeing a pact to share intelligence.
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