(LEAD) U.S. launches new Indo-Pacific security partnership with Australia, Britain

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; CORRECTS name of partnership to AUKUS in 2nd para; UPDATES with remarks from President Biden in paras 2-6; RESTRUCTURES; ADDS photo)
By Byun Duk-kun

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Wednesday announced the launch of a new trilateral security partnership in the Indo-Pacific that President Joe Biden said marks a "historic step" in deepening his country's cooperation with Australia and Britain.

Biden said the countries will also work to equip Australia with "conventionally armed" nuclear submarines under the new trilateral partnership, named AUKUS.

"The United States, Australia, (the) United Kingdom have long been faithful and capable partners," Biden said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, held virtually.

"Today we're taking another historic step to deepen and formalize cooperation among all three of our nations because we all recognize the imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term," he added.

As a first step, Biden said the countries will consult on Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines over the next 18 months, reiterating that the submarines will only be nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed.

"I want to be exceedingly clear about this. We're not talking about nuclear-armed submarines. These are conventionally armed submarines that are powered by nuclear reactors," Biden said.

A senior U.S. administration official earlier said it will be a "one-off" deal and U.S. support for Australia's acquisition of nuclear submarines will not pose any proliferation risks.

"I do want to underscore that the Biden administration remains deeply committed to American leadership in nonproliferation. This is nuclear propulsion. Australia has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons," the official said in a telephone press conference.

The official added the last time the U.S. had shared such technology with a foreign country was with Britain in 1958.

"This is, frankly, an exception to our policy in many respects. I do not anticipate that this will be undertaken in other circumstances going forward," he said while speaking on condition of anonymity. "We do this as a one-off. We do believe that this is complementary to other forms of security and political engagement in the region."

South Korea is currently seeking to acquire or develop a nuclear-powered submarine.

A nuclear accord between Seoul and Washington prohibits South Korea from using U.S. technology to develop nuclear capabilities, including a nuclear-powered submarine.

The official said the new partnership would be part of ongoing U.S. efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific that he said also includes bilateral engagements with other U.S. allies, such as South Korea.

"Again, you've seen very strong statements and engagements with Japan and South Korea and the Philippines to date ... This is all about developing integrated, effective web of engagement, about sustaining the operating system of Asia. The rules based order has been so good for all of us over these many years and we hope into the future," the official said.

The new trilateral initiative comes amid a growing competition with China, with the U.S. frequently accusing China of undermining the rules-based order in the East and South China seas.

The U.S. official argued the new trilateral partnership is not aimed at any one country.

"I do want to just underscore very clearly. This partnership is not aimed or about any one country. (It) is about advancing our strategic interests, upholding the international rules based order and promoting peace and stability in the Indo Pacific," he said.

"This is about a larger effort to sustain the fabric of engagement and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. We have a history of innovation, upgrading capabilities, I would urge you to look in this context."

bdk@yna.co.kr
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