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April 4, 2012

200 Marines Arrive in Australia in Buildup of U.S. Presence 
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Two hundred U.S. Marines have arrived in northern Australia in the first
wave of a buildup of 2,500 troops due eventually in the country. The
United States says the move is needed to better protect U.S. interests
across Asia, but the deployment has sparked concern in China. U.S.
Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich spoke at a welcoming ceremony
earlier today.

Jeffrey Bleich: "We are fortunate to be in the most dynamic area in the
world right now. This is the fastest growing economic area and also the
one that is enduring the greatest demographic change, and we want to
make sure that it continues to be a peaceful, prosperous and stable
area. The way that we accomplish that is by ensuring that trade routes
are open and that we're prepared for any issue that could come up and so
the opportunity to train here in Darwin is ideal for having the ability
to do that. You have access the Pacific Ocean, to the Indian Ocean, to
the East Timor Sea and to trade routes all around."



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