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THE draft of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations’ constitution drew praise from the United States which its
said reflected the grouping’s commitment to the “democratic
ideals” of the rule of law, good governance and respect for human
rights and freedom.
The draft charter was submitted
by the High-Level Task Force to ministers of the regional bloc
meeting.
Deputy Secretary of State John
Negroponte told the Post-Ministerial Conference between Asean and
the US, that the ideals would allow the region to achieve peace,
democracy, stability and prosperity.
Negroponte also sought to
“deepen [the US’] partnership, individually and collectively,”
with East Asia.
“The enduring commitment of the
United States to Asean” is shown in the “strong engagement” of
his country in the region, Negroponte, a former ambassador to the
Philippines, said.
This year marks the 30th
anniversary of Asean-US relations.
He noted that while the world has
changed in the 30 years since official engagement between the
regional bloc and the US began in 1977, the “unforeseen
challenges” of the future also present “greater opportunity.”
Negroponte said the relations go
beyond economic, even as the 10 member-countries of the bloc
represent the fourth largest export market for the US.
He said the American private
sector has recognized this region as one of the fastest growing in
the world and has put in $90 billion in foreign direct investments
in the area.
Negroponte said that despite the
absence of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is traveling
with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the Middle East, Asean is on
Washington’s agenda.
Foreign Minister George Yeoh of
Singapore, which is taking over Asean’s rotating chairmanship from
the Philippines this year, said the region “fully understands why
she can’t be with us here. . . . We have a vested interest in her
success.”
“These are challenging times
that we live in, and US leadership is critical,” he added. China,
an Asean dialogue partner together with Japan and South Korea, has
been expending its economic, political and military clout in the
region. Washington has expressed concern over its military spending
and buildup, and repeatedly urged Beijing to be more transparent.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto
Romulo said the US remains a key player in the region’s growth and
security.
“The history of our region’s
security and stability could not be written without entire chapters
being devoted to the central role played by the United States,”
Romulo said.
Romulo told the participants that
“perhaps in no other situation is this more potent than on the
issue of bringing the Korean peninsula out from under the dark
shadow of nuclear weapons,” adding “on this issue, diplomacy and
dialogue, coupled with the leadership of the United States, have
been the key to recent successes.”
Romulo informed officials that
the foreign ministers and heads of delegation of the Six Parties had
called on President Arroyo in Malacañang.
On specific areas of cooperation,
Romulo stressed the great importance the Philippines attaches to
closer cooperation with the United States to combat terrorism,
radicalization and transnational crime.
Asean consists of Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
--Francis Earl A. Cueto
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