U.S.-Southeast Asia Relations: Burma Heats Up and the U.S. Blows Hot and Cold
Author(s):
Simon, Sheldon W
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Comparative Connections: A Quarterly E-journal On East Asian Bilateral Relations, Volume 9, Issue 3 (2007-10). pp. 61.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Asia's largest multilateral naval exercise in decades took place in the eastern Indian Ocean Sept. 4-9, involving ships and aircraft from the U.S., India, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. President Bush condemned the Burmese junta for its brutal suppression of anti-regime demonstrations. Secretary of State Rice bypassed the annual ASEAN Regional Forum gathering while President Bush postponed the U.S.-ASEAN summit scheduled for September and left the APEC summit a day early as Asia's importance continues to take second place in Washington. The Indochinese states were featured in several U.S. statements on trade and human rights in Vietnam, Hmong refugees from Laos, and counterterrorism training for Cambodia. Washington continued to press for the restoration of democracy in Thailand, looking forward to elections in December. Adapted from the source document.