Rudd meets Kissinger to discuss Asia Pacific Union

Rudd meets Kissinger for talks ahead of G20

abc.net.au | Mar 28, 2009

By Lyndal Curtis

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has discussed his proposal for an Asia Pacific community with the former Nixon administration’s secretary of state, Henry Kissinger.

Mr Rudd talked to the former diplomat and national security adviser during his visit to New York, ahead of the G20 leaders’ meeting in London.

A spokesman for Mr Rudd says they discussed the evolving strategic and economic landscape in the Asia Pacific region and Mr Rudd’s long term goal of developing a new regional grouping, the Asia Pacific community.

They talked about the shared view that the region would benefit from institutions and structures that would encourage co operation between all major players.

Mr Rudd has also talked to leading economists Jeffrey Sachs and Joseph Stiglitz as well as touring the trading floor of the New York stock exchange.

While there he had a working lunch with stock exchange executives and representatives of companies with business in Australia.

He says it is a tough time for the world and Australia, but told the gathering that Australia’s economy remains strong.

“These are important underlying strengths for Australia, the economic name of Australia, as well as the particular interests we have to advocate for the corporates here in New York,” he said.

Advocacy ‘not unusual’

Mr Rudd is now on his way to London, saying a deal has not yet been done on the best way to deal with the global recession and there is still a lot of work ahead.

But he has defended his advocacy for China to have an increased role in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after criticism from the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Rudd has been arguing that China’s economic weight and the likelihood it will be called on to contribute more money to the IMF demand it be given a greater role in the body.

Mr Turnbull has accused Mr Rudd of being a travelling advocate for China instead of Australia.

Mr Rudd says his advocacy is not unusual.

“I think a lot of governments around the world are talking about how China could play a greater role in the IMF,” he said.

“That’s just normal because we want to see the IMF active in the global financial debate in dealing with some of the problems emerging in developing economies.”

Asean leaders call for EU-style union

ASEAN leaders join in a traditional handshake during closingceremonies Sunday, March 1, 2009, in Cha-am, Thailand, at the 14th ASEAN Summit. They are, left to right, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Laos’ Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Malayisan Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Philippines’ President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Viet Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Myanmar’s General Thein Sein, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan. Photo AP

Leaders sign agreement for an Asean community within next six years, with EU-style agreement planned by 2015

Phnom Penh Post | Mar 2, 2009

by Nguon Sovan

SOUTHEAST Asian leaders called Sunday for urgent cooperation and reform to tackle the global financial crisis, as they pushed on with their dream of forming an EU-style community by 2015.

Leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) issued a joint statement on the meltdown on the final day of a summit dominated by concerns about their export-driven economies.

In the statement, they called for “bold and urgent reform of the international financial system” to tackle the worsening crisis, while agreeing to “stand firm against protectionism”.

The leaders also signed a declaration on setting up an Asean community within the next six years. Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is also currently chairman of Asean, said the leaders “have sent a clear signal about our guidelines to solve economic problems in the region”.

But because the region is largely dependent on exports, it is at the mercy of the chaos in the rest of the world’s economies. Leaders underscored the importance and urgency of the so-called Chiang Mai initiative – a regional emergency fund set up in 2000.

Foreign ministers from Asean and from China, Japan and South Korea agreed one week ago to extend the initiative to US$120 billion.

Asean also signed a free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand Friday, and on Sunday signed an energy agreement to allow members to buy oil at a discount during crises. Splits over protectionism have also called the bloc’s unity into question.

More access needed
Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh returned Sunday saying he had met with Thai commerce minister Pornthiva Nakasai to press for more market access.

“[Border provinces] have produced around 100,000 tonnes of cassava a year, but cassava prices have dropped sharply and we cannot sell to Thailand,” he said, blaming Thai protectionism. He applauded the trade agreement between Asean and New Zealand and Australia, but added that local quality standards must improve if Cambodia is to benefit.

Australian prime minister hails plan for an Asia-Pacific Union by 2020

“Our ambition remains to create an Asia-Pacific community by 2020 with a broad agenda, that brings together the United States, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the other countries of the region.” Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks during the first pleanary session at the G20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy at the National Building Museum in Washington, November 15, 2008.

PM defends Asia-Pacific Union plan

ABC Australia | Nov 21, 2008

By Sabra Lane

TONY EASTLEY: The Prime Minister will have plenty of time to review his plans for an Asia-Pacific community as he wings his way today to the annual APEC forum.

Kevin Rudd is flying to Peru via Honolulu and Acapulco – a 32 hour trip.

Before leaving Mr Rudd reaffirmed his determination to set up a European Union style forum in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Prime Minister says early negotiations have gone well and he dismissed reports that the plan has been poorly received.

From Canberra, Sabra Lane reports.

SABRA LANE: Kevin Rudd flagged his grand plan for an EU-style union in the Pacific in June. Back then he said there was a need for such an organisation embracing political, security and economic challenges as, he argued, no current forum addressed all three issues.

It was reported earlier this week there’d been a cool reception to the idea around the region. Not so, according to the Prime Minister, who gave a keynote address in Canberra last night to the Kokoda Foundation, a not-for-profit think tank on future security challenges.

KEVIN RUDD: Our ambition remains to create an Asia-Pacific community by 2020 with a broad agenda, that brings together the United States, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the other countries of the region, with a broad agenda to deal with the political, economic and security challenges of the future. As we know, no such body in the region does that at present. It is time we moved towards such a body.

SABRA LANE: Richard Woolcott, a former career diplomat who once headed the Department of Foreign Affairs was recalled from retirement to travel the region and gather support for Mr Rudd’s idea.

Yesterday afternoon Mr Woolcott gave a face to face briefing to the Prime Minister.

KEVIN RUDD: I’m pleased that the initial consultations in the region of my special envoy for the Asia-Pacific community, Richard Woolcott, has gone well. More discussions will occur. I’ll be discussing the proposal further with leaders in Lima this weekend. Our discussions will continue in capitals as well in the year ahead and my special envoy will be looking to consult with the new US administration at the earliest opportunity.

SABRA LANE: The Prime Minister says the new union wouldn’t be a substitute for any current organisation. He says ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian Nations, formed in the 60s, is an example of the kind of progress his new Asian-Pacific community might achieve.

KEVIN RUDD: ASEAN was created at the height of the cold war when the future of the region was much less than certain. ASEAN has developed cooperation rather than confrontation as the driver of responses to new challenges that the region faces.

This experience illustrates the importance of pre-emptively shaping our future environment to position the region to address future challenges. This is a key factor driving this Government’s proposal for an Asia-Pacific community.

SABRA LANE: Mr Rudd is now travelling to Peru for the APEC summit. Due to an industrial dispute in Tahiti, his travel plans have changed. He’s flying to Lima via Honolulu and Acapulco, a journey taking 32 hours, 28 of them in the air. And if he happens to bump into George Bush in Peru, the Prime Minister might hope the following praise, given last night, will be telegraphed ahead helping to sooth any lingering anger the President may feel over the leaking of that phone call.

KEVIN RUDD: I think an outstanding success of the Bush administration has been the way it has managed the China relationship in what could have gone radically in the wrong direction.

TONY EASTLEY: The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ending that report by Sabra Lane.

Iran calls for an Asian Union

Mottaki calls for Asian Union

Tehran Times | Aug 14, 2008

TEHRAN – Iran’s chief diplomat Manuchehr Mottaki on Tuesday called for setting up an “Asian union” amid efforts to increase Asia’s influence in the world.

Mottaki made the remarks in a meeting with Iran’s cultural envoys to foreign countries at the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO).

The ICRO envoys’ mission is to establish cultural affinity with other nations and convey the message of the Islamic Republic which is based on justice and defending world nations’ rights.

Mottaki said culture forms the cornerstone of Iran’s relations with the world and that the international community is very receptive to Iran’s views.

The foreign minister stated that the founder of Islamic Republic the late Imam Khomeini attached special importance to poor and oppressed.

The addressees of the Islamic Revolution are not only Muslims but all people of different religions, he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks Mottaki said Africa is a rich continent with good people.

“Africa’ abundant resources and its good people have so far been ignored.”

Interaction with Africa will create new opportunities for Iran and will increase trust between the Islamic Republic and the African nations, he added.

Mottaki said Iran and Africa plan to hold a summit in 2009.

——–Iran-Arab dialogue

The foreign minister said Iran wants close relations with the Arab world. “We have proposed to the Arab League that we should launch Iran-Arab dialogue.”

Although Zionists have created problems for Iran in Latin America, Tehran should use the regional nations’ hatred towards the U.S. and their thirst for justice to develop its relations with these countries, he stated.

Mottaki was a member of ICRO before serving as lawmaker and then foreign minister

India, ASEAN agree to create EU-like free-trade zone

Domain-B.com | Aug 8, 2008

Mumbai: India and the 10-nation Association of South-East Asian Nations have reached a free-trade deal in goods that aims to create a European Union-style single market.

A deal that would create a larger trading block – covering a population of over 1.5 billion – than the EU is expected to be signed in December in New Delhi.

The deal that will cut import tariffs on goods, but not services or investment, is expected to boost annual trade between ASEAN and India, which  currently stands at $28 billion.

The two sides have trimmed down the list of items for negotiations from over 1,400 `sensitive items` proposed by India to 400. Most items on the list related to agriculture or textiles.

New Delhi has agreed to cut import tariffs to around 5 [per cent from around 30 per cent now and committed to gradually phasing them out altogether within a few years.

Once the pact is in place, officials will start talks on liberalizing service sectors, such as finance, telecommunications and investment.

The ASEAN comprises of Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Olympic medal table will demonstrate the New World Order – with China on top

A police dog stands by under a banner of the Beijing 2008 Olympics slogan ‘One World One Dream’ in Beijing, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, a day before the Summer Games’ opening ceremony. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Independent | Aug 9, 2008

By Rupert Cornwell in Washington

They are little golden baubles that signify only athletic prowess, in disciplines as irrelevant to raw political muscle as gymnastics and beach volleyball.

But gold medal tables throughout the modern Olympic era have offered a fascinating snapshot of global power – coupled, it must be said, with home advantage. And with resignation rather than any burning sense of failure, America is virtually conceding in advance that at the Beijing Games of August 2008, China will seal its international emergence by knocking the United States off its golden throne.

If you have any doubts that the past 100 years have been the American century, the Olympics should banish them. True, back when a quarter of the world was coloured pink in the atlas, Britain dominated proceedings at the Home Games in London in 1908, winning 56 golds, more than double the American haul of 23. But thereafter the US ruled, until the emergence of a rival superpower. Between 1956 and 1988, America and the Soviet Union (abetted on occasion by its steroid-fuelled surrogate East Germany) battled for gold medal supremacy, a duel interrupted only by the reciprocal boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Games in Moscow and Los Angeles respectively.

After the collapse of Communism in 1991, the US was back in the driving seat. But China was creeping up in the rear view mirror. In Los Angeles in 1984 – the Middle Kingdom’s first Games after a quarter-century boycott during the Mao era – China won 15 gold medals, the fourth largest national haul.

By Sydney 2000, it had climbed to third, and at the last Olympics, in Athens four years ago, it came second, behind the US. This time the progression should reach its climax. If the old yardstick of global might plus home advantage is any guide, China should make it to number one. Such, too, is the best guess of US prognosticators. An analysis in yesterday’s USA Today predicts that China will top the medal count over the next fortnight, with 51 golds compared with 43 for the US.

It will be the first time in 72 years that a country other than the US or the former Soviet Union heads the table – the last being Germany at the Hitler Games of 1936, (another example of how rising national power plus home advantage has been a reliable gauge of Olympic dominance). But there is no gnashing of teeth here, merely an acceptance that the US is looking at second place. “We’re not used to being an underdog,” Pete Ueberroth, who ran the Los Angeles Games and now chairs the US national Olympic Committee, told USA Today. “So we’ll get used to that and do our best.”

This may be a case of the politicians’ game of downplaying expectations. But all the non-sporting, as well as the sporting, indicators are pointing south for the US. Its economy is in the biggest crisis of a generation, its global reputation has tumbled, its relative power is waning. It is tempting to see these Games as a hinge of history, the passage from the former American century to a new Chinese one. But there is little of the bitter antagonism that used to mark the US rivalry with the Soviets during the Olympics of the Cold War. For one thing, there is relatively little sporting overlap. The US still dominates in track and field and swimming, while much of China’s medal haul will come in events which barely figure on the radar screen here.

More important, however, for all the complaints about its human rights record, China just isn’t perceived to be that threatening.

John McCain backs Asian Union Plan

Related: McCain backs Rudd’s ‘Asian Union’ plan

“I am appreciative of the leadership role that Australia has played in the region, they have even sent troops to various parts of the region when there’s been political and civil unrest,” Mr McCain told reporters.

In the United States, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain has given the thumbs up to Australia’s push for closer regional co-operation in the Asia Pacific.

Radio Australia | Jun 13, 2008

Presenter: Michael Rowland

Speakers: Michael Fullilove, The Lowy Instuitute; John McCain, Republican Presidential Nominee; Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister

MICHAEL ROWLAND: John McCain has always had a soft spot for Australia.

He’s a Vietnam veteran and his naval officer father spent a lot of time in Perth during World War Two.

So when asked a question about Australia during a Boston media conference overnight, the Republican nominee didn’t hold back.

JOHN MCCAIN: I am appreciative of the leadership role that Australia has played in the region. They have even sent troops to various parts of the region when there has been political and civil unrest.

I believe that the relationship between Australia and China is a developing one.

MICHAEL ROWLAND: Senator McCain was specifically asked for his views on Kevin Rudd’s ambitious plan for an Asia-Pacific community.

The body would be a forum for discussion on security and political matters as well as a vehicle for introducing free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Senator McCain agrees there needs to be stronger regional ties.

JOHN MCCAIN: I believe that the more and closer that the countries in the region work together, free and open trade and more agreements with the United States of America, I am greatly in support of.

MICHAEL ROWLAND: Michael Fullilove of the Lowy Institute, who’s now in Washington as a visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution, believes there’ll be broad US support for Mr Rudd’s idea.

MICHAEL FULLILOVE: There is interest in Washington in Mr Rudd’s idea for an Asia-Pacific community although I don’t think there is a complete understanding here about exactly what Mr Rudd proposes. What would be its remit, its membership and its organisational structure, but I think the default position in Washington is they agree that Asia needs stronger regional institutions and they know that Australia can be trusted to develop institutions that include the United States.

MICHAEL ROWLAND: How important is it that the US is on board for this concept to work?

MICHAEL FULLILOVE: Oh, it is critically important for our interests. I mean, it is a core national interest of ours that any regional institution that develops include the United States because the US presence in the region keeps a lid on interstate friction that otherwise could be very dangerous, so it is very important for us that the US is involved.

MICHAEL ROWLAND: Kevin Rudd will also be pleased with the free character reference he’s received from John McCain:

JOHN MCCAIN: Prime Minister Rudd is a very talented individual and I had the pleasure of meeting with him in Washington.

MICHAEL ROWLAND: Mr Rudd believes Australia will be well served regardless of who wins the race for the White House.

Australia Proposes Asia-Pacific Union, United States Included

Rudd recently outlined a plan to organize a new regional body of Asia-Pacific countries, similar to the European Union. Rudd envisions the Asia-Pacific bloc to be in place by 2020; China has already expressed support.

Informify | Jun 6, 2008

by Sean Conneely

In an address to the Asia Society Australasia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, the prime minister called for cooperation among the countries of this growing region. Rudd added that he wants the new bloc to include, among many other countries, the United States, China, Japan, India, and Indonesia. Critics view the proposal as overly ambitious and unnecessary.

Cooperation Among Asian and Pacific Nations Key

Rudd, who was elected last November, stressed the importance of Asian and Pacific countries working together now for mutual benefit. Waiting would not be prudent.

“I believe it’s time that we started to think about where we want to be with our regional architecture in 2020,” Rudd said. (The Australian, 6/5/08)

Rudd envisions the new organization cooperating on economic and political issues. Experts say that the region’s economic influence could grow exponentially, especially with the exploding middle-class in countries like India and China.

Politically, the new Asia-Pacific union could work to ease regional conflicts. Rudd pointed to the following territorial disputes as examples:

▪     Taiwan  Strait
▪     Korean  Peninsula
▪     Kashmir  Region

Is an Asia-Pacific Union Necessary?

Critics of Rudd’s proposal deem it unnecessary.

Dennis Jensen, a member of Australia’s House of Representatives, said he didn’t see the need for an Asia-Pacific bloc. “We actually have or had very good relationships with all of the nations in the region so no, it’s not necessary,” Jensen said. (Australian ABC News, 6/5/08)

Australia’s opposition party foreign affairs spokesperson, Andrew Robb, called the plan ‘presumptuous.’

“His first job is not to be making pronouncements about grand architecture for the region, telling China, Indonesia and Japan and India how they will be organized as a region by Australia in the next 20 years,” Robb said. (BBC, 6/5/08)

Rudd has admitted his proposal is bold, but vital to the region’s economic growth and political stability. And he doesn’t appear to be alone.

China on Board with Australia Proposal

While Rudd’s critics voiced their concern, one of the major players in the proposed Asia-Pacific union expressed its support.

Chinese officials said Thursday that they would back any plan that promotes cooperation in the region.

“We hope countries in the Asia-Pacific can make joint efforts to enhance exchanges, political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation so as to promote common development. Any proposal that’s in line with this goal, we will support it,” said Qin Gang, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson.

The Australian prime minister has tapped former ambassador to Indonesia, Richard Woolcott, to spearhead the ambitious plan.

Bhat or buck: Asian Union’s unified currency could end Aussie dollar

Asian union would mean free trade, says expert

Unified currency could follow

By Jane Metlikovec

Herald Sun | Jun 6, 2008

A UNIFIED currency and open borders could follow any union between Australia and Asia, an expert says.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday announced his plan to create a broad Asia-Pacific Community by 2020.

Asian legal expert Prof Tim Lindsey of Melbourne University said it was too early to speculate about a unified euro-style currency, but it could follow any international pact.

“With a union you have the idea of free trade, and once you have that everything else follows,” he said.

“Australia is uniquely positioned as the only Western society in Asia and we have never capitalised on that, despite most of our commodities going to Asia.”

He said Australia was still suffering from a “colonial hangover” by setting itself apart from Asia.

“This perception of ourselves as a European nation has to change. Our government-to-government relations have improved with Asia so much that we do need to capitalise on it now.”

Opposition MPs are divided on Mr Rudd’s plan, which he put forward in a speech to the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre on Tuesday, ahead of a week-long visit to Japan and Indonesia.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Robb said Mr Rudd’s plan was presumptuous: “His first job is not to be telling China, Indonesia, Japan and India how they will be organised by Australia.”

But Opposition trade spokesman Ian Macfarlane said he wanted to see more details before making a judgment. “At face value, it’s a step in the right direction,” he said.

Australian PM hails EU-style bloc for Asia-Pacific

EU Observer | Jun 5, 2008

By LUCIA KUBOSOVA

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has suggested that Asia and Pacific countries, including the region’s heavyweights such as China, India and Japan, form a regional bloc similar to the European Union.

“The key thing is to enhance security and regional co-operation, which at present is fragmented,” Rudd said in a radio interview on Wednesday (4 June), AFP has reported, after he presented the idea during an address to the Asia Society of Australasia.

Mr Rudd suggests Asian-Pacific community would loosely follow the EU’s integration path (Photo: Council of the European Union)

He argued that an “Asia-Pacific Community” could be founded by 2020 as a forum for tackling climate change and terrorism, as well as settling territorial conflicts, such as over Kashmir, the Taiwan Straits and the Korean peninsula.

Furthermore, it could serve as a trade platform to help exploit the benefits of the looming economic power of the region, which he thinks will be “at the centre of global affairs” throughout this century.

“Put simply, global economic and strategic weight is shifting to Asia,” he said.

Commenting on possible comparisons with the 27-strong European Union – which is set to enlarge further – Mr Rudd said that it does not serve as “an identical model of what we would seek to develop in the Asia-Pacific, but what we can learn from Europe is this: It is necessary to take the first step,” according to Radio Australia.

His suggestions come shortly after a similar process of regional integration has resulted in the creation of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), set up by a founding treaty signed last month.

The new supranational and intergovernmental body has combined two previously existing customs unions – Mercosur and the Andean Community – with 12 participating countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Chile.

Its institutional structure directly copies the EU model, with UNASUR’s headquarters to be located in Quito, Ecuador, a South American parliament seated in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and a ‘Bank of the South’ to be situated in Bogota, Colombia.

Other regional groupings inspired by Europe include a single market without trade barriers for goods and services agreed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the African Union.