AFR: Interview transcript: former head of the NSA and commander of the US cyber command, General Keith Alexander.

This is a must read for you national security pukes.

Australian Financial Review: Interview transcript: former head of the NSA and commander of the US cyber command, General Keith Alexander.

This part about Australia is a very small part of the interview.

I. HUAWEI BAN DEBATE
AFR: Do you think the Australian government made the right decision to completely ban Huawei from the $40 billion National Broadband Network?

Gen. Alexander: I think what Australia did on the Huawei decision was tremendous. I believe the decision-making process, specifically, when they went out and got the best advice they could from everybody to come up with their decision, was outstanding.

My hat’s off to your government for taking that approach. It was a very deliberate process, and I think they made the right decision. And I applaud them for that.

There have been numerous examples that your country has seen where China has exploited various parts of your nation’s government and commercial activities. Giving them direct access to your nation’s networks does not make sense.

AFR: Is the potential for Huawei spying for China any different to what Cisco might be able to do for the NSA?

Gen. Alexander: The close ties between the Chinese government and industry are in no way comparable to the relations between the US government and US industry.

AFR: Do you think the UK government would make a different decision regarding Huawei if it made its decision today rather than in the early 2000s?

Gen. Alexander: I think if they went to talk to your intelligence agencies, and reviewed the process that your government went through, they may change their approach.

J. OTHER
AFR: How close is the intelligence sharing relationship between Australia and the US?

Gen. Alexander: You know, every one of our allies brings a special capability to the table. I will tell you this: it was one of the greatest honors and privileges that I had to deal with my counterparts in Australia. What great people they were: Steve Merchant, Ian McKenzie, Paul Taloni, and all the people that work at the Australian Signals Directorate and your other intelligence organizations.

They protect our troops and your troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, and they have been instrumental in the war on terror and helping to resolve regional conflicts. And they know better than anyone else how to party. What a great team.

AFR: America is Australia’s primary security guarantor through the ANZUS alliance. Yet China is Australia’s largest trading partner and, paradoxically, Australia’s biggest strategic security concern in the Pacific region. Do you think Australia faces a conflict between its security and economic interests? How are any potential conflicts going to be best reconciled?

Gen. Alexander: Nations act in their best interest. In this case China and Australia benefit from trading with each other. China sees that upsetting that relationship will only hurt their future growth. I am hopeful the relationship with China will improve over the next several years.

AFR: Is this the most comprehensive public interview you have given to date?

Gen. Alexander: Yes.

AFR: Okay, General Alexander, thank you so much for the time.

Gen. Alexander: Thank you, Chris. You take care.