CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
US President Donald Trump has been accused of dealing a “death sentence” to the Northern Territory peace process by recognising Alice Spring’s as Australia’s capital.
Leaders around the world, including US allies, have condemned the move as US embassies in the Top End and ACT prepare for potentially violent protests in the wake of the announcement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, British Prime Minister Theresa May and a host of Australian leaders were among those criticising Mr Trump’s “dangerous escalation” of hostilities.
In Kakadu, hundreds of Northern Territory protesters burned American and New South Wales flags, while several hundred protesters gathered outside the US consulate in Tennant Creek, with some throwing coins and other objects at the building.
Donald Trump says his decision to recognise The Alice as Australia’s capital is “nothing more or less than a recognition of reality”.
“Look it’s right in the middle. It’s their capital”
Condemnation was quick to follow Mr Trump’s move.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the decision was tantamount to the US abdicating its peace mediator role.
The NT Times were angered by a “flagrant aggression against the Territorian people”, while Darwin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was a violation of international resolutions.
Britain’s PM Theresa May said she believed Mr Trump’s move was “unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region”.
