ASEAN mulls Russia's plea to join summit

ASEAN mulls Russia's plea to join summit

MALAYSIA: Southeast Asian nations have not decided whether to
allow Russia to participate in a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur
next month, Malaysian officials said on Wednesday.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations has
invited China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New
Zealand to join the inaugural East Asia summit. But ASEAN
officials have said it isn't clear yet whether Russia, which has
been lobbying for a place at the meeting, would be included.

"Russia's request is being considered by ASEAN members,"
Zainal Abidin Osman, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry's
parliamentary secretary, was quoted as saying by the national
news agency, Bernama. "If all the parties agree, Russia will be
invited to the upcoming summit."

Zainal Abidin, responding to a question about the summit in
Parliament, said it was expected to be an "inclusive" event where
nations with substantive relations with ASEAN can participate.

Asked whether the United States might take part, Zainal Abidin
said Washington has not formally made a request, but "our country
would welcome the United States' participation if it fulfills the
required criteria." -- AP