U.S. continues effort to counter China's influence in Asia
By John Pomfret
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Obama administration's announcement Thursday that it will resume relations with Indonesia's special forces, despite the unit's history of alleged atrocities and assassinations, is the most significant move yet by the United States to strengthen ties in East Asia as a hedge against China's rise.
The push comes at the same time that the administration's tone with China has turned tougher, especially on the nettlesome issue of human rights. In recent speeches and interactions with Chinese authorities, the administration has abandoned an earlier approach of patience and quiet engagement.
The decision to resume relations with Kopassus, the elite special forces of the Indonesian military, prompted strong criticism from advocates for human rights.
"In the Bush administration, we saw them seek military allies regardless of human rights abuses in pursuit of the war on terror," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. This administration, she said, "will seek military alliances regardless of human rights abuses -- in response to China."
Other analysts said that given Indonesia's transition toward democratic governance, it makes sense to reengage with powerful elements of its military, in part to build up counterweights to China's increasing power in the region.
China's rise is also a significant factor in the Obama administration's moves to strengthen ties with traditional allies, such as South Korea and Japan, as well as with Malaysia and Laos and even with Vietnam, a former foe. It also was a factor in the recent opening to Burma.
"Indonesia is the anchor country of ASEAN," said Ernie Bower, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "And there's a recognition that you need to have a strong foundation in ASEAN to deal with China over time."
In April, Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak, met with President Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. The country earlier had passed an export control act that U.S. officials hope will make Malaysia less of a transshipment point for military-related technology to Iran. On Thursday, Malaysia deployed its first military unit to Afghanistan, to provide medical and dental services to Afghans.
Laos, considered by some in Washington to be all but a client state of Beijing, dispatched this month its highest-level delegation to the United States since 1975 with the visit of Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
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By John Pomfret
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Obama administration's announcement Thursday that it will resume relations with Indonesia's special forces, despite the unit's history of alleged atrocities and assassinations, is the most significant move yet by the United States to strengthen ties in East Asia as a hedge against China's rise.
The push comes at the same time that the administration's tone with China has turned tougher, especially on the nettlesome issue of human rights. In recent speeches and interactions with Chinese authorities, the administration has abandoned an earlier approach of patience and quiet engagement.
The decision to resume relations with Kopassus, the elite special forces of the Indonesian military, prompted strong criticism from advocates for human rights.
"In the Bush administration, we saw them seek military allies regardless of human rights abuses in pursuit of the war on terror," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. This administration, she said, "will seek military alliances regardless of human rights abuses -- in response to China."
Other analysts said that given Indonesia's transition toward democratic governance, it makes sense to reengage with powerful elements of its military, in part to build up counterweights to China's increasing power in the region.
China's rise is also a significant factor in the Obama administration's moves to strengthen ties with traditional allies, such as South Korea and Japan, as well as with Malaysia and Laos and even with Vietnam, a former foe. It also was a factor in the recent opening to Burma.
"Indonesia is the anchor country of ASEAN," said Ernie Bower, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "And there's a recognition that you need to have a strong foundation in ASEAN to deal with China over time."
In April, Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak, met with President Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. The country earlier had passed an export control act that U.S. officials hope will make Malaysia less of a transshipment point for military-related technology to Iran. On Thursday, Malaysia deployed its first military unit to Afghanistan, to provide medical and dental services to Afghans.
Laos, considered by some in Washington to be all but a client state of Beijing, dispatched this month its highest-level delegation to the United States since 1975 with the visit of Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
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