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DE RUEHBY #0025 0110633
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O 110633Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2504
INFO RUCNDSC/DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9701
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2164
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1589
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0025
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RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6894
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5158
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5165
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2042
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0409
RHMFISS/USSTRATCOM OFFUTT AFB NE

S E C R E T CANBERRA 000025 
 
SIPDIS 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR ISN MDSP HOPPLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2035 
TAGS: MCAP PARM PREL TSPA AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA WATCHING CHINA'S IMPENDING INTERCEPT 
FLIGHT TEST 
 
REF: SECSTATE 2126 
 
Classified By: Political-Economic Advisor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4(B)( 
D). 
 
¶1. (S/NF)  Summary: Australia is watching developments around 
China's pending intercept test closely and appreciates reftel 
message as part of the very close coordination with the 
United States.  Deputy National Security Advisor Angus 
Campbell told us PM Kevin Rudd is concerned and following the 
issue closely. The GOA's diplomatic response will be 
carefully calibrated around the actual events of the test. 
End Summary 
 
¶2. (S/NF) Polmil and econoffs passed points in reftel to 
Cameron Archer, Director of the Defence and Strategic Policy 
section at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 
January 11.  U.S. Defense Attache Col. Britschgi and Office 
and Regional Affairs also passed them to Defence Signals 
Directorate Director Ian McKenzie, who is acting in Deputy 
Secretary of Defence for Intelligence and Security Steve 
Merchant's place this week while Merchant is on leave. 
According to Archer, DFAT and the Australian intelligence 
community have been closely monitoring the developments at 
Chinese flight centers.  Archer said that the GOA's 
diplomatic response to a flight test would depend on the 
actual events - a direct ascent anti-satellite test would be 
of extreme concern, but an Anti-Ballistic Missile test 
conducted within Chinese airspace would mean that Australia's 
approach to China would likely focus more on transparency and 
advance notice for ABM tests. 
 
¶3. (S/NF) Separately, the Pol/Econ Counselor briefed Acting 
National Security Advisor Angus Campbell on U.S. views 
regarding the impending launch and subsequent diplomatic 
strategy.  Campbell thanked us for the information and said 
that the Prime Minister was watching the situation closely. 
Like the U.S., Campbell said, Australia would need to base 
its response on the nature of the actual event.  Campbell 
said National Security Advisor Duncan Lewis was back from 
holiday leave and would be available for any additional 
coordination at any time. 
 
¶4. (S/NF) McKenzie echoed to DAO Australia's concern over 
keeping a close eye on developments, and agreed to pass the 
information in reftel to colleagues in the intelligence 
community. 
 
¶5. (U) Post will follow-up with appropriate officials in the 
Australian foreign affairs and defense communities as 
appropriate. 
 
CLUNE