Australia has urged the United States to take a more active role in providing financial and training support in counter-terrorism efforts by South-east Asian nations, particularly Indonesia.
In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into Australia-US security ties, the government strongly supported the US commitment to the Asia-Pacific, but said it wanted more back-up in the region.
"The bilateral relationships the US maintains with regional states, including ourselves are central to regional stability in the Asia Pacific," said the submission, posted this week on the parliament website.
But it added that "in terms of the war on terror, Australia remains particularly keen to see more US engagement in the Southeast Asian region."
"Australia and the US can co-operate in providing support to regional agencies to combat terrorism."
A submission prepared for the US administration by its embassy in Canberra formally recognised Australia's role as South Pacific policeman in the war on terror.
The submission, also published on the parliament website, praised Australia's interventions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands and recognised Prime Minister John Howard's Pacific doctrine of fighting the war on terror in his "own backyard".
"The very proximity of Australia to terrorist-threatened nations in south-east Asia means that a ready first-response neighbour is on hand to help in crisis situations," the submission said, citing the help by Australian military and police after the Bali bombings which claimed 202 lives in October 2002.
"Similarly, Australia's leading role in preserving peace in Bougainville, East Timor and, more recently, in Solomon Islands, demonstrates what a credit the nation of Australia is to its region, and what a capable, farsighted ally it is for us.
"As the US and Australia keep an unswerving eye on other areas of concern in Asia ... and on the global threats of terrorism and weapons proliferation that affect the Asia-Pacific region, we can each draw comfort from knowing the other's commitment to this region reinforces our own."
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