On Jan. 31 two former Australian Foreign Ministers, Bob Carr and Gareth Evans, led a group of 50 officials, academics, writers and human rights advocates to call for a national policy of diplomacy in relations with the U.S. and China. Harkening back to the 1970s policy of détente and arms control agreements, they chastise the AUKUS confrontation route. Their Appeal is titled “Towards a Balance of Power between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China.” It asserts “We aspire to be a strong advocate for peace and stability.”
Carr writes in the article/motivation preceding the Appeal: “It’s not possible to continue to play war games with the Americans and trade games with China and hope to live on in blissful prosperity.” He argues that as things stand now “the U.S. and China are headed for confrontation,” which could easily escalate into war.” Carr was Australia’s Foreign Minister from 2012-13, and longest-serving Premier of New South Wales.
