FMs lighten mood at ASEAN meet

FMs lighten mood at ASEAN meet

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick belted out "Oh my
darling Clementine", Australia's foreign minister asked for a
date, and the Russians adopted a Star Wars look.

Foreign ministers performing skits at a dinner here brought
levity to a week of heavy meetings.

"It's now or never," crooned Australia's Alexander Downer to
officials and foreign ministers from 10 Southeast Asian nations
and their dialogue partners late on Thursday.

"Let's consummate, fulfill the promise, a summit date," he
sang to whistles and laughter.

Downer this week committed Australia to ASEAN's Treaty of
Amity and Cooperation (TAC), reversing an earlier stance and
securing a place at a summit that could lead to the creation of a
new East Asian community.

"Only yesterday TAC did not rate, and just in time, I've
changed my mind... it's great," he sang, his delegation twirling
blue feather boas behind him.

Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew wore dark
sunglasses to lead a black-suited "rat-pack" that teased the
Australians.

"Australia wants in... their way of saying they're not really
Yanks," he sang. "Take down tariffs and open up trade... in ASEAN
style, it could be delayed, but so what?" he continued.

The Japanese, pushing to host the rugby World Cup in 2011,
tossed around a rugby ball. With regional giants like Japan as
partners, the ASEAN team can "stand tall and catch the high
ball", they said.

Wrapped in a cloak evoking the Jedi characters from Star Wars
and brandishing a plastic sword, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov spoke of the discovery of a new planet called the
Association of Supposedly Extraordinarily Agreeable Nations -- a
jibe about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN)
fundamental principle of consensus.

Zoellick wrapped up the evening with a low-key performance,
his delegation standing stiffly by in cowboy costumes.

The skits are a regular feature of a gala dinner for the ASEAN
foreign ministers and the major powers with which they hold a
dialogue.

The dinners are normally closed to the media but Lao
television this year broadcast the entire show live on national
television. -- AFP