U.S. seen as losing influence in SE Asia

U.S. seen as losing influence in SE Asia

The United States is in danger of losing its influence in Southeast Asia and the quest for the hearts of minds of Muslims, a report on the challenges facing the U.S. in Asia said on Tuesday.

Any U.S. assistance to progressive and modernist groups within Islam should be carried out with skill and sensitivity, the Asia Foundation warned in Singapore in its recommendations for closer ties.

The U.S. should not give the impression it favors particular groups of Muslims over others, it added, and encouraged scholarship programs for Muslim students.

The foundation, a non-profit organization with its headquarters in San Francisco, also urged the U.S. to help develop a regional framework to prevent maritime terrorism in Southeast Asia and work towards an annual U.S.-ASEAN summit on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

In launching the report on Monday, Tommy Koh, chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies here, noted China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand have had summits with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

A summit between the U.S. and ASEAN "would allow for a more substantive exchange of ideas and positions, as well as demonstrating to the region that it is a priority for the U.S.," said the think-tank chief.

Koh, a former Singapore ambassador to the U.S. and permanent representative to the United Nations, said Southeast Asia supports the U.S. in its global campaign against terror.

"Southeast Asians would, however, like to remind the U.S. that the war against terrorism cannot be won by military means alone," he said.

The strategy should include social, economic, political and military components.

ASEAN includes Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. -- DPA