US President Begins Visit to Australia

US President Barack Obama arrived in Australia on Wednesday on a twice-postponed mission to update a 60-year-old security alliance for a new century marked by the rise of China. He landed in the capital, Canberra, after flying from Hawaii, where he presided over a summit that expanded entry talks on a new pan-Pacific trade deal.
The US President was greeted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The two-day visit to Australia is expected to include an announcement on escalating military cooperation, in a clear statement by Washington that it intends to stand up for its interests and allies in a fast-emerging region. Obama is set to hold talks with Gillard. 
After that they will give a joint news conference and then have dinner together. On Thursday, Obama will speak to parliament before travelling to Darwin to visit a military base. He will also deliver a speech to parliament that is expected to be the key engagement of his visit. 
The US President is expected to set out plans for greater US engagement in the region. Later in Darwin, he will visit a memorial to honor US and Australian soldiers killed during World War II. It will be the first visit to Darwin by a US leader. Obama has twice cancelled visits to Australia in the past - in March 2010 as he worked to pass healthcare reform legislation and then in June the same year amid the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
After his stop in Darwin, Obama will fly to Indonesia for a summit of Asian leaders. 

Source: BNA