Ilham
19-05-2004, 23:58
US urged to show more love to S-E Asia
Tommy Koh advises Washington to use soft power in the region to counter anti-American sentiment
By Roger Mitton
WASHINGTON - The alarming rise in anti-American sentiment across much of South-east Asia might be countered if the world's only remaining superpower would just pay more consistent attention to the region, Professor Tommy Koh said here on Tuesday.
Besides its military and economic clout, he urged Washington to accentuate the use of its soft power in the region.
This, he said, would particularly help moderate Muslim communities in South-east Asia win the internal struggle against their more radical brothers.
For instance, the United States could do more for education reform and for the empowerment of women, he said, adding that this could be done in a more consistent way.
He said: 'We want the US to show us a little more love and respect.
'The Chinese are courting us with love and respect. The Japanese are courting us with love and respect and money. The Indians are courting us with love and respect and history.'
He suggested how the US could go about rejuvenating this courtship, pointing out that the nations of North-east Asia now hold an annual summit with the 10 Asean members.
While an annual meet could be difficult, he said, 'What about a one-off summit as a gesture of love and respect?'
Such a move might help stem the rising tide of anti-Americanism across Asia, which he said was due principally to two factors.
The first is the perceived support by the current US administration for Israel against Palestine and the Muslims, and the second, the invasion of Iraq.
Prof Koh presented his views at the National Press Club in Washington, where he spoke as one of three distinguished diplomats chosen by the Asia Foundation to assess America's role in Asia.
Over the past months, he had met policymakers and scholars across South-east Asia to analyse the challenges facing the US in the region and to recommend policy initiatives to the US government.
Working with him were South Korea's Dr Kim Kyung Won, who evaluated the North-east Asian position, and Ambassador Farooq Sobhan from Bangladesh, who presented the South Asian view.
Both Dr Kim and Mr Farooq agreed with Prof Koh that perceptions of the US in Asia had taken a steep fall under the administration of President George W. Bush.
A major reason for this, said the experts, was Mr Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive action in the war against terrorism.
That said, all three participants noted that the US, by and large, had excellent government-to-government relations with most Asian nations.
But Dr Kim added: 'If you go out on to the street and ask ordinary people, you will most likely not get a positive response about America. In fact, anti-American sentiment is growing at an astonishing rate.'
The assessments are to be presented to Washington in September.
Prof Koh also scoffed at 'the fiction' of those who suggest China is pushing America aside and starting to dominate South-east Asia.
He said: 'It is utter nonsense to say that South-east Asia has moved away from the American orbit and become tributaries of the People's Republic of China.'
Yes, the region has close ties to China, as well as to India, Japan and Europe.
'But the one we are closest to, the one we value the most, the one whom we regard as an indispensable stabiliser is the US,' he emphasised.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,251831,00.html?
Professor Tommy Koh is the Singapore Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations and is a highly regarded figure in international diplomacy.
Tommy Koh advises Washington to use soft power in the region to counter anti-American sentiment
By Roger Mitton
WASHINGTON - The alarming rise in anti-American sentiment across much of South-east Asia might be countered if the world's only remaining superpower would just pay more consistent attention to the region, Professor Tommy Koh said here on Tuesday.
Besides its military and economic clout, he urged Washington to accentuate the use of its soft power in the region.
This, he said, would particularly help moderate Muslim communities in South-east Asia win the internal struggle against their more radical brothers.
For instance, the United States could do more for education reform and for the empowerment of women, he said, adding that this could be done in a more consistent way.
He said: 'We want the US to show us a little more love and respect.
'The Chinese are courting us with love and respect. The Japanese are courting us with love and respect and money. The Indians are courting us with love and respect and history.'
He suggested how the US could go about rejuvenating this courtship, pointing out that the nations of North-east Asia now hold an annual summit with the 10 Asean members.
While an annual meet could be difficult, he said, 'What about a one-off summit as a gesture of love and respect?'
Such a move might help stem the rising tide of anti-Americanism across Asia, which he said was due principally to two factors.
The first is the perceived support by the current US administration for Israel against Palestine and the Muslims, and the second, the invasion of Iraq.
Prof Koh presented his views at the National Press Club in Washington, where he spoke as one of three distinguished diplomats chosen by the Asia Foundation to assess America's role in Asia.
Over the past months, he had met policymakers and scholars across South-east Asia to analyse the challenges facing the US in the region and to recommend policy initiatives to the US government.
Working with him were South Korea's Dr Kim Kyung Won, who evaluated the North-east Asian position, and Ambassador Farooq Sobhan from Bangladesh, who presented the South Asian view.
Both Dr Kim and Mr Farooq agreed with Prof Koh that perceptions of the US in Asia had taken a steep fall under the administration of President George W. Bush.
A major reason for this, said the experts, was Mr Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive action in the war against terrorism.
That said, all three participants noted that the US, by and large, had excellent government-to-government relations with most Asian nations.
But Dr Kim added: 'If you go out on to the street and ask ordinary people, you will most likely not get a positive response about America. In fact, anti-American sentiment is growing at an astonishing rate.'
The assessments are to be presented to Washington in September.
Prof Koh also scoffed at 'the fiction' of those who suggest China is pushing America aside and starting to dominate South-east Asia.
He said: 'It is utter nonsense to say that South-east Asia has moved away from the American orbit and become tributaries of the People's Republic of China.'
Yes, the region has close ties to China, as well as to India, Japan and Europe.
'But the one we are closest to, the one we value the most, the one whom we regard as an indispensable stabiliser is the US,' he emphasised.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,251831,00.html?
Professor Tommy Koh is the Singapore Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations and is a highly regarded figure in international diplomacy.