East Asia Summit

East Asia Summit

The holding of the first meeting of the regional East Asia Summit in Malaysia was very important. Which countries were included, and one that wasn't -- as in, the United States -- was very important.

The United States wasn't invited because it refused to sign a pledge renouncing the use of force and interference in the internal affairs of the region. The presence of Australia and New Zealand was viewed suspiciously by some attendees, who saw them as stalking horses for America, although those two countries were very pleased to be included as Asian nations.

It would seem that through a bit of artful diplomacy, the no- force and noninterference pledge could be provided before next year, given the importance of U.S. participation in the work of this important body. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania