U.S. To Establish Military Base In Darwwi, Report Says

MELBOURNE, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard are expected to announce next week that the United States will establish a permanent military presence in Darwin. Fairfax newspapers say the move is "a sign about heightened concern about China". Obama, who will be making his first official visit to Australia, will address a special joint sitting of parliamentarians next Thursday, where he will reference America's broader role in the Asia-Pacific. "This will really be the kind of anchor speech by the president in his first term on how the US sees the Asia-Pacific," Ben Rhodes, a White House deputy national security adviser, told reporters in Washington earlier this week. It will touch on how the US has sought to strengthen relations with emerging powers such as China and India, and engage with regional institutions such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the East Asia Summit. "He'll focus on the security agenda including the US posture in the region going forward -- our defence posture, as well as our alliance in political relationships." Obama and Gillard will fly to Darwin, where it is believed he will announce a boost in America's military presence in northern Australia. -- BERNAMA