Pacific swells from UN vote
UNITED NATIONS Ñ In a decisive diplomatic victory for the U.S., the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to back an Anglo/American/Spanish resolution on IraqÕs future. The outcome of the vote which was decidedly unclear until the last moment, provided a political swell for the Bush Administration on the eve of the East Asian Economic Summit in Bangkok. Across the world, the PeopleÕs Republic of China scored an impressive technological triumph too, with the launch of a successful Shenzhou 5 rocket thus entering the elite club of countries who have achieved manned space flight.
The UN vote was clear political gain for the U.S. as it gave international, if grudging blessing, to the coalitionÕs continued occupation of Iraq. While France, Germany, and Russia were not totally pleased with the resolution, a joint Franco/ German/Russian Statement conceded that Òwe and the sponsors share the same goals in Iraq; i.e. to contribute to a swift stabilization of the conditions in Iraq, to support the political and economic reconstruction process, and to promote the restoration of sovereignty of the Iraqi people through a government elected by them.Ó
Bottom lineÑWashington has gained a wider political legitimacy for the Iraq operation and has begun to spread the security risk of the occupation.
The Chinese space launch was impressive in a different way. While itÕs easy to scoff at the launch and admit that the Americans and Russians achieved this in the early 1960Õs, the point is that a developing country carried out a successful mission. Aimed primarily to impress domestic consumption and bolster the flagging fortunes of communist ideology through some good old fashioned high-octane nationalism, Beijing benefits from the propaganda swell of its space launch.
Needless to say, this awes ChinaÕs East Asian neighbors too, as neither the technological superpower Japan, nor the European Space Agency have sent an astronaut into space. For the record, the Chinese have already launched 70 satellites, and are heirs to a space program which dates to the 1970Õs, albeit with gyrating levels of enthusiasm.
So then we have the setting for the APEC Summit. President George W. Bush visited Japan on the way and met with Prime Minister Junichiro Kouzumi, may I say one of WashingtonÕs closest and unapologetic allies in the region and in the war on terror. Japan has gone the extra mile to bolster political support for the US effort in Iraq and the war on terror overall. TokyoÕs financial contributions to Iraqi reconstruction and expected troop commitment are indeed impressive.
President Bush then stopped off in the Philippines where he consulted with he his counterpart Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In the first address to the Philippine Congress by an American leader since Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960, Bush described the Philippines as a role model for the ongoing democratic transformation in Iraq. He equally underscored American efforts to assist Philippine military modernization in the fight against locally-based Islamic fundamentalists.
In direct contraposition to the Axis of Evil Ñ Iraq (membership lapsed), the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic PeopleÕs Republic of Korea there equally exists The East Asian Entente of Good Ñ Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. The supportive and extemporary efforts of Tokyo, Manila, and Canberra are generally unappreciated and unknown in the USA.
Clearly the Summit allowed President Bush the opportunity to pursue his economic agenda aimed at narrowing U.S. trade deficits and promoting regional economic development. He equally used the podium to stress global security concerns such as North Korean nuclear proliferation and the ongoing war on terror.
Nonetheless at the APEC Summit in Bangkok, both Beijing and Washington are vying for position Ñ the USA to maintain its commercial and strategic standing and the PeopleÕs China to alter it. Bush and PRC President Hu Jintao after all are both playing to the same audience. East Asia is yet to choose its new mentor.
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense
issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
See current edition
of
   |
