Clinton says U.S. committed to Asia-Pacific

Clinton says U.S. committed to Asia-Pacific

CANBERRA (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton, in his first major foreign policy speech since his re-election, called yesterday for a deeper engagement with China and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.

"The direction China takes in the years to come, the way they define its greatness in the future, will help to decide whether the next century is one of conflict or cooperation," Clinton told the Australian parliament.

Striking a reassuring tone aimed directly at Beijing, he added: "The United States has no interest in containing China. That is a negative strategy."

"What the United States wants is to sustain an engagement with China...in a way that will increase the chances that there will be more liberty and more prosperity," Clinton told a joint sitting of both houses of parliament.

Clinton's comments come only four days before he meets Chinese President Jiang Zemin in the Philippines ahead of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

But Clinton said Washington and Beijing would continue to have important differences, especially in the area of human rights.

"We will continue to discuss them candidly, but by working together where possible and dealing with our differences openly and respectfully where necessary we can deepen our dialogue and add to Asia's stability," he said.

"I look forward to doing just that when I meet for the fourth time with President Jiang in the Philippines next week."

In a wide-ranging speech, Clinton said the United States, even though it retained close ties with Europe, must look to the East no less than to the West.

"First, we share the view of almost every nation in Asia that a strong American security presence remains the bedrock for regional stability," he said.

"We will maintain about 100,000 troops across the Pacific just as we maintain about 100,000 troops in Europe. We will keep them well-trained, well-equipped and well-prepared," he said.

"We will continue to revitalize our core alliances, both bilaterally and regionally.

"These efforts, let me say clearly, are not directed against any nation. They are intended to advance security and stability for everyone so that we can grow together and work together, all of us, in the new century," Clinton said.

Clinton reaffirmed Washington's military commitment to maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region, citing a decision for 2,500 U.S. Marines to train in northern Australia.

In July, Washington and Canberra signed a defense agreement aimed at bolstering security ties by upgrading joint military facilities, the establishment of a small marine base in Australia and boosting joint training.

"The agreements our foreign and defense ministers signed in Sydney this summer authorize the largest exercises involving our troops since World War II," Clinton said.

"They are seriously a powerful symbol and a concrete manifestation of our place to protect stability in the Pacific," he said.

The move prompted Beijing to accuse Australia of being used by Washington as part of a containment pincer with Japan.

Clinton arrived in Australia on Tuesday for a five day visit before heading to the Philippines for the APEC summit on Nov. 25.