Minister for Defence visits the USA

2 November 2009

The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, will visit Washington DC, United States of America, this week, to take part in talks with senior US Government representatives and Defense officials. He will be accompanied by the Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt, and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

Senator Faulkner will meet with the Secretary of Defense, Dr Robert Gates; the National Security Adviser, General (Ret'd) Jim Jones; Director of National Intelligence, Admiral (Ret'd) Dennis Blair; and the Commander of CENTCOM, General David Petraeus.

Discussions will focus on operations in Afghanistan, following Senator Faulkner's attendance at the recent NATO-ISAF meeting in Bratislava.

"General Stanley McChrystal's assessment of the Afghanistan campaign, the need to support the ongoing growth and development of the Afghan National Security Forces and the importance of complementing our military efforts with governance improvements will be important elements of our discussions," Senator Faulkner said.

"My visit will also be a valuable opportunity to emphasise the value of the alliance to Australia and the United States."

"The relationship has served both countries well for more than 50 years."

"The alliance is fundamental to the security of both countries in critical areas such as intelligence sharing, and security and stability in the Asia-Pacific."

Senator Faulkner will also meet with leading strategic commentators in Washington to discuss broader approaches to ensuring the security and stability of Afghanistan and its people.

"I will also use this opportunity to discuss other issues, including our collaboration on capability development and acquisition, and ratification of the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty," Senator Faulkner said.