Pine Gap on US missile front line

PINE GAP could play a direct role in a controversial new generation of ballistic missile defences developed by the US and Japan, the Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has told Parliament. The rare statement on the secret facility near Alice Springs is likely to further alarm Russia, which yesterday joined China in criticising military co-operation between Australia, Japan and the US - which includes missile defence research. "The strengthening of US-Australian-Japanese ties has got our attention," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister.