POWELL SPEAKS ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF ASIA RELATIONS, NUCLEAR-FREE KOREAN PENINSULA

Date: 04-24-2003

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke Thursday, April 24, in Washington D.C. at the inaugural symposium of the United States Asia Pacific Council, established by the East-West Center.

Powell said that the United States will use all the diplomatic, political and economic tools it can to cement friendships in Asia and that alliances with Asian partners will be adapted to meet new needs. He also spoke about the importance of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

The link to Powell's full speech is: Powell's full speech

The new council brings under its umbrella the U.S. Committees of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC). The council is dedicated to U.S. and Asia Pacific relations and is made up of prominent U.S. leaders and experts to encourage engagement in the Asia Pacific region.

Robert Zoellick, the U.S. trade representative, also gave a keynote address at the symposium, attended by both U.S. and Asian business and academic leaders as well as diplomats.

This is an East-West Wire, copyright East-West Center