U.S. to build military base in Australia

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. to build military base in Australia
1 hour, 28 minutes ago

CANBERRA (Reuters) - The United States is to build a new military satellite communications base in Australia, the government said on Thursday, after three years of secret negotiations between the two allies.

The new base will relay signals and intelligence to U.S. forces in the Middle East and Asia from Geraldton, 400 km (248 miles) north of the West Australian state capital Perth.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told parliament the base, construction of which will start in months, would help underpin the close Australia-U.S. alliance.

But Greens lawmakers warned it would become a target for extremists.
(snip/...)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070215/pl_nm/australia_usa_base_dc;_ylt=A0WTUd.oQdRFx1oB1gSyFz4D

[woodsprite]

1. Guess Howard was poodle enough for *. n/t

[rodeodance]

2. Howie was used by the WH.

[wakeme2008]

3. NSA has for a long time one or more stations in Australia

Pine Gap is the largest. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/09/29/1033283389127.html

[BushOut06]

4. Are we the only nation with military bases around the world?

I seem to recall Americans reacting in horror when Germany expressed an interest in leasing some land in Arizona to build a military base there. Can't seem to recall exactly why Germany wanted a base there, but I do remember a huge outcry over it. Of course, the same people have no problem with the US being in so many foreign countries.

[Amonester]

6. It's Darth Cheneyou$$elf will, not We The People's.

[Benhurst]

5. Great idea! Now if we can just get little Howie to let us implant microchips

into each and every Australian, we'll be able to keep track of them and know they aren't up to any mischief as far as our new base is concerned.