DOCUMENT:NAC_2.TXT N A T I O N A L A B O R I G I N A L C O N F E R E N C E POSITION PAPER ON NUCLEAR ARMS BUILD-UP IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN BASES ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL The National Aboriginal Conference is particularly concerned with the nuclear arms build-up in the South Pacific and the development of American marine and air force bases on Australian soil. This concern is not only that of Aboriginal people, but it is also the concern of the other political interests in Australia. For instance, the Opposition Leader, Mr. Bill Hayden, M.P., expressed the Labor Party's view on this issue by saying that "Australia has been far too modest in the past in engaging in constant debate. Like most of our allies in Europe, we have largely left the question of nuclear strategy to the United States". The National Aboriginal Conference is concerned that there should be debate on this whole issue as most American bases are within close proximity to Aboriginal land and communities. We fear that the presence of American bases will pre-empt future decisions relating to land rights and economic development of the Aboriginal people. Indeed, the National Aboriginal Conference supports the Labor Party's stated concern for the question of nuclear strategy being constantly discussed and their consideration of these issues as highly dynamic in terms of the fluctuations in the international political arena. They see nuclear strategy as having a great effect on the future of international politics and economic affairs, from which Aboriginal interests have been too long excluded. The National Aboriginal Conference is concerned that we are not consulted by the Australian Government on their plans. It is common knowledge that the Americans are not obligated to inform the Australian Parliament, or the people, of the type of weaponry that will be placed on these bases. Aboriginal people do not support the development of nuclear arms. We have great fear for our people, particularly for the implications of the Presidential Decision No. 59 which was signed by President Carter nine months ago, and we concur with the concern expressed by Mr. Hayden in his speech to the National Press Club on Tuesday, 14 April 1981 -- "that this decision, and associated planning documents, encompasses a most elaborate framework of strategic options ranging from very limited nuclear strikes through counterforce strikes to full-scale war". If the Americans do not discount the possibility of full-scale war, then we feel that we should be consulted on all matters relating to any form of arms build-up on Australian soil". One other aspect that concerns the National Aboriginal Conference is the possibility of these joint strategic plans influencing the Federal Government's policy on Aboriginal Land Rights. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: www.cwis.org :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Originating at the Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington USA www.cwis.org © 1999 Center for World Indigenous Studies (All Rights Reserved. References up to 500 words must be referenced to the Center for World Indigenous Studies and/or the Author Copyright Policy Material appearing in the Fourth World Documentation Project Archive is accepted on the basis that the material is the original, unoccupied work of the author or authors. 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