DoD News Briefing
Monday, July 17, 2000
Presenter: Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
(Joint Press Conference with Australian Minister of Defense John C. Moore at Maritime headquarters, Sydney, Australia)
Q: Mr. Cohen, Paul Tee from Reuters. Two church groups in the last two days have called for an international intervention in the Moluku Islands to stop escalating violence there. Would the United States accept or support an East Timor-style intervention there?Cohen: What we have indicated is that we believe that Australia is closer to the situation, that we will look for some leadership on the part of Australia in terms of formulating our own policies in the region. But we will coordinate very carefully in terms of what responses would be appropriate. But that's something I think Australia must look at very carefully.
Q: Now a follow-up for Mr. Moore. Has Australia considered such an action or what is Australia's position now?
Moore: We hadn't been asked to participate or to help in any way in that area at all.
Q: Who would have to ask you?
Moore: Well, the Indonesian government for a start.
Cohen: And I should point out that the United States has not been asked to take any action, and we would have to review the entire circumstance before considering participating in any way.
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