By John Brandon

John Brandon is Director of International Relations at The Asia Foundation.

The Bush Administration recently announced that it will cancel this September’s U.S. –Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) summit. ASEAN is celebrating its 40th year, and the U.S.-ASEAN dialogue is celebrating its 30th. The cancellation of this landmark summit was due to the upcoming release of the report card on the American surge in Iraq to the U.S. Congress, slated for the same time. Although Iraq is the U.S.’s principal foreign policy issue, to Southeast Asians, this summit cancellation validates the perception that the U.S. views Southeast Asia with benign neglect and lacks a long-term strategy toward the region.
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By Scott Snyder

Scott Snyder is a Senior Associate at The Asia Foundation. He can be reached at ssnyder@asiafound-dc.org.

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill’s sudden visit to Pyongyang in late June and renewed implementation of the February 13, 2007 agreement among the six parties has stimulated speculation about how far and how fast North Korea and the United States can go toward a “big deal” involving North Korea’s denuclearization in return for the diplomatic normalization of U.S.-DPRK relations. Despite rumors in Beijing of a U.S.-DPRK “secret channel” following Hill’s visit, the broad outlines of such a U.S.-DPRK trade-off were agreed to long ago as part of the September 19, 2005, Six Party Joint Statement.

The Joint Statement clearly commits the United States to normalize diplomatic relations with North Korea in line with the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. The “big deal” has already been made; whether or not both sides can accept the political and strategic implications of such a deal in reality remains to be seen. The major question now is whether the two sides can find ways to actually live up to their promises by moving forward and solving thousands of small problems on the road to achieving the final objectives of the Joint Statement.
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By Brooke Shull

Brooke Shull is a Program Officer for The Asia Foundation’s Environment program.

Until recently, the Koh Kong region of Cambodia was known as their “Wild West ”— geographically isolated from the rest of the country, the surrounding Cardamom Mountains served as one of the last Khmer Rouge strongholds. The Cardamoms stretch to the western border with Thailand, and host dense forests and some of the world’s rarest wildlife species. The range forms the headwaters of several key watersheds, which support the majority of the region’s fisheries and agriculture activities. Along the main coastal estuary is one of the largest remaining mangrove preserves in Southeast Asia, which provides a sanctuary for fish and a cheap (but illegal) source of fuel for thousands of local fishing families. That combined with dozens of uninhabited islands and virgin beaches provides a setting that seems to be an ideal global tourism destination.

For now, Koh Kong remains a transit area — a rest stop for people and goods traveling to or from Thailand. It is also one of thirteen provinces in Cambodia where The Asia Foundation is initiating its Civil Society and Pro-Poor Markets (CSPPM) program, aimed at improving rural livelihoods among communities that are highly dependent on natural resources.
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A seminar in celebration of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN and the 30th anniversary of United States-ASEAN relations.

Panel Discussions to Include:

Congressional Views of the U.S.-ASEAN Relationship
Moderated by Mr. Douglas Bereuter, President, The Asia Foundation

Panelist: The Honorable Christopher Bond, United States Senate

ASEAN Ambassadors and Former U.S. Ambassadors to ASEAN
Moderated by H.E. Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador, Embassy of Singapore

Panelists: H.E. Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn, Ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy

                  H.E. Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, Ambassador, Embassy of Indonesia

                  Ambassador Stapleton Roy, Managing Director, Kissinger Associates

                  Ambassador William Itoh, Senior Advisor for Policy and Programs,  The Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

Business Perspectives on U.S.-ASEAN Relations
Moderated by Mr. Matthew Daley, President, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council

Panelists: Ms. Selina Jackson, Vice President, United Parcel Service

                  Ms. Laura Hudson, Manager and Director for Federal and International  Affairs, Chevron Corporation
 

Location:
The Members of Congress Room
The Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
10 First Street, SE

RSVP:
To attend, or for more information, please contact Ms. Hope Stewart at hstewart@asiafound-dc.org

By Tim Meisburger and Nick Langton

Tim Meisburger is The Asia Foundation’s Regional Director for Elections and Political Processes; Nick Langton is The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative for Nepal.

The people’s movement that dislodged King Gyanendra and led to the reinstatement of Parliament in April 2006, followed by the signing of a peace agreement between the government and Maoists, dramatically changed Nepal’s political landscape. As part of a fragile peace process in the wake of a protracted and brutal civil war, Nepal is now engaged in a fundamental reorganization of the state. Not only is there an opening to resolve the decade-long conflict, but also an opportunity to build a nation more responsive to all of its citizens. A key element in this process is the drafting of a new constitution, with elections to a Constituent Assembly now scheduled for November 22, 2007.
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By Katherine S. Hunter

Katherine S. Hunter is The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative for East Timor.

On June 30th, East Timor’s citizens cast ballots in the first parliamentary election since independence in 2002. After an intense election campaign in which a record 12 parties and 2 coalitions competed — criss-crossing this small and mountainous half-island nation to hold rallies and conduct door-to-door visits — over 81% of the electorate turned out for a largely peaceful and well-run election day. Results indicate that 7 parties or alliances won seats in the new 65-member Parliament. They help to ensure a pluralistic policymaking process but, with no party winning the 51% needed for a parliamentary majority, the country now faces the daunting challenge of forming a government that will have reasonable prospects for stability and durability over the next five year period.
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