At 12:45 PM 9/14/01 +1000 Russell Chapman wrote:
>"John D. Giorgis" wrote:
>
>> I am particularly awed and amazed that our NATO allies would show such
>> unity as to invoke Article V for the very first time over this incident.
>
>For what it's worth, Australia has invoked the equivalent clause under our
>ANZUS treaty, and has followed that up with an "unconditional offer" of
troops
>etc should they be required or requested. Basically, we have said "yes"
before
>we have been asked, in case we are asked...
Thanks for that. I've actually been looking for word on that, but haven't
been able to find it. *SIGH*
I should have remembered that I had some friendly Australians around whom I
could just *ask*. Sorry, 'bout that.
As near as I can recall, our only formal alliances are with NATO, ANZUS,
and Japan (and obviously there would be no comparable clause in our treaty
with Japan.) Perhaps South Korea and Israel are also formal allies, but I
am pretty sure that they are informal.
>In an interesting twist, the Prime Minister of Australia was in Washington DC
>during the attack, while the Senator for New York's husband (he has some
other
>title....) was in Australia.
>
>Russell Chapman
>Brisbane Australia
>
>PS - You might also be surprised to learn that people here are queuing to
give
>blood also, and that we have several contingents of fire fighters at airports
>waiting for U.S. clearance to go and assist.
A very sincere "thank you" to you all.
JDG
P.S. Just saw on the news, literally as I was writing this, that at
Buckingham Palace today, they played the Star Spangled Banner at the
changing of the guard. Also, moments of silence were observed at
make-shift memorials in Canada, Britain, Germany, and *Russia*, among
others...... I've never felt prouder to say IAAMOAC.
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
"Freedom itself was attacked today, and Freedom will be Defended."
-U.S. President George W. Bush, 09/11/01
