Defence chief seeks to ease doubts over US focus on Asia
Saturday, June 2, 2007
UNITED STATES Defence Secretary Robert Gates landed in Singapore yesterday seeking to ease doubts over US leadership in a region under the shadow of a Chinese military build-up.
A senior US defence official said Gates would use a speech today at an international security conference to assert that the US intends to remain an influence in Asia.
The official, who briefed reporters travelling with Gates on condition of anonymity, said Washington wanted to refute suggestions it has been distracted by Iraq and Afghanistan to the detriment of the Asia-Pacific region.
"This has been a low running theme among many of the folks in the region, that somehow we have lost the bubble or lost our focus on Asia particularly in the last year, year and a half, when our demands in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased," he said.
"When in fact, if anything, we have found better ways to do our Asia obligations and responsibilities and execute against those in a much more comprehensive and complete way," he added.
Still, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Asian concerns about a shifting US military posture in Asia have put Gates on the defensive on his first trip to East Asia since assuming office six months ago.
His visit was preceded by the release of the Pentagon's annual report on Chinese military power detailing Beijing's drive to acquire advanced warships, aircraft and missiles that would allow it to project power far beyond Taiwan.
During a stopover in Honolulu, Gates said there was no question China is building up significant military capabilities, and he urged Beijing to explain its intentions.
"One of the central themes of everyone who is talking to the Chinese is more transparency," Gates said. "Tell us more about where you're headed, what are your intentions."
"That's the real issue. The fact that they are building capacity is just a fact. What they plan or do not plan to do with it is what's of interest," he added.
But Gates did not plan to press the issue in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual regional gathering of senior officials and experts, the US defence official said.
"We think we have a much more important message, and that message is: irrespective of the China military power report, and the situation with China, we are engaged throughout Asia on a very broad spectrum of activities." AFP
A senior US defence official said Gates would use a speech today at an international security conference to assert that the US intends to remain an influence in Asia.
The official, who briefed reporters travelling with Gates on condition of anonymity, said Washington wanted to refute suggestions it has been distracted by Iraq and Afghanistan to the detriment of the Asia-Pacific region.
"This has been a low running theme among many of the folks in the region, that somehow we have lost the bubble or lost our focus on Asia particularly in the last year, year and a half, when our demands in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased," he said.
"When in fact, if anything, we have found better ways to do our Asia obligations and responsibilities and execute against those in a much more comprehensive and complete way," he added.
Still, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Asian concerns about a shifting US military posture in Asia have put Gates on the defensive on his first trip to East Asia since assuming office six months ago.
His visit was preceded by the release of the Pentagon's annual report on Chinese military power detailing Beijing's drive to acquire advanced warships, aircraft and missiles that would allow it to project power far beyond Taiwan.
During a stopover in Honolulu, Gates said there was no question China is building up significant military capabilities, and he urged Beijing to explain its intentions.
"One of the central themes of everyone who is talking to the Chinese is more transparency," Gates said. "Tell us more about where you're headed, what are your intentions."
"That's the real issue. The fact that they are building capacity is just a fact. What they plan or do not plan to do with it is what's of interest," he added.
But Gates did not plan to press the issue in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual regional gathering of senior officials and experts, the US defence official said.
"We think we have a much more important message, and that message is: irrespective of the China military power report, and the situation with China, we are engaged throughout Asia on a very broad spectrum of activities." AFP
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