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