US plans special envoys to boost diplomatic, financial ties with ASEAN

US plans special envoys to boost diplomatic, financial ties with ASEAN
(AFP)

11 August 2006



WASHINGTON - The United States plans to appoint special envoys to boost
diplomatic and financial ties with rapidly growing Southeast Asia, an
official in President George W. Bush's administration said.


It is part of Washington's bid to increase "direct engagement"
with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by exploring
new avenues for dialogue, cooperation and technical assistance, Deputy
Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt said.

"The planned appointment of an American ambassador to ASEAN is
evidence of the US commitment," he said at a Singapore National Day
reception in Washington on Wednesday. His remarks were released
Thursday.

Kimmitt said that "this year, the Treasury Department also intends to
establish a post for a financial representative to Southeast Asia."

The twin plan comes in the wake of the Bush administration's drive to
give greater emphasis to Southeast Asia, where China has made inroads
on the political, security and economic fronts in recent years.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Southeast Asian foreign
ministers last month signed a five-year action plan aimed at boosting
trade, investment and political ties.

The appointment of a US ambassador to ASEAN was first proposed by
senior Republican Senator Richard Lugar, who introduced a bill to that
effect in the Senate in May.

The bill has the backing of many top legislators.

The United States at present has envoys at various levels in each of
the 10 ASEAN member states -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

But Lugar said an ambassador to look after the region as a whole would
prove crucial as ASEAN developed an integrated free-trade area and
addressed matters of common concern with the United States -- ranging
from environmental and financial challenges to avian influenza and
terrorism.

On Thursday, Lugar hailed the decision to establish the position of US
Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs, saying it reflected "the strong support
of the United States for strengthening ties" with ASEAN.

His bill recommends that a deputy assistant secretary of state serve
with ambassadorial rank, subject to advice and consent of the Senate.

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